Gov. Heineman News: Governor & Municipalities Announce Local Roads Stimulus Projects

News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2009, 4:00 p.m. CT

CONTACT

Ashley Cradduck, Gov’s Office
Lash Chaffin, League of Neb., 402-476-2829

Governor & Municipalities Announce Local Roads Stimulus Projects

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman and the League of Nebraska Municipalities today announced the local roads projects expected to receive funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Approved yesterday by the League Executive Board, the 23 projects are in 16 cities across the state.

“By using these funds for ready-to-go projects, the positive economic effects should begin soon,” Gov. Heineman said. “This is a good example of local control. I appreciate the League’s willingness and efforts to prioritize important projects throughout our state.”

League Executive Director L. Lynn Rex said, “The League sincerely thanks Governor Heineman for giving us the opportunity to play a meaningful role in distributing these funds to first class cities for important transportation infrastructure projects which will be a direct benefit to all Nebraskans, especially in economically distressed areas.”

The projects approved for bidding are as follows:

CITY	PROJECT

Blair	Hwy 75 improvements
Columbus	Lost Creek Pkwy, US-81 to 33rd Ave.
Crete	East 13th and Iris Ave.
Gering	Rundell Rd. (D St.)
Grand Island	Locust, I-80 to US-34
Hastings	Showboat Rd., 7th to 12th
Hastings	Baltimore Ave., 2nd to 12th
Hastings	9th St., Burlington to Baltimore
Hastings	7th St., Baltimore to Oswego
Holdrege	11th Ave. and Lincoln St.
Kearney	39th St., Pony Express to Ave. M
Kearney	8th St. bridge replacement
Lexington	13th St. reconstruction
McCook	"J" St. paving
Nebraska City	11th St.,10th to 14th
Nebraska City	11th Corso realignment
Plattsmouth	15th St., Ave. A to Ave. C
Plattsmouth	15th St., 1st Ave. to Main
Schuyler	9th St., "B" St. to "G" St.
Scottsbluff	Ave. B
South Sioux City	Signal integration
South Sioux City	Dakota Ave. street lights
York	Nebraska Ave. storm sewer

The ARRA stipulates that recovery funding for first-class cities must be designated to cities with populations between 5,000 and 199,999. Projects will be listed for bid in the near future. Nebraska received $28.1 million for roads projects in first-class cities.

ARRA funding criteria requires projects selection be based on economic need and ready-to-commence status. Per ARRA requirements, priority was given to projects that could be completed within three years and to activities that can be started and completed expeditiously.

Nebraska is expected to receive a total of $235.6 million for road improvements, with$157.8 million designated for state highway system projects. The Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) is releasing projects for bid every 30 days until all state roads funds are obligated.

In addition to funding for state roads and first-class cities, Omaha will receive $23.2 million for road improvements, Lincoln $9.4 million, counties will receive $10 million, and trails and historical preservation projects will receive $7.1 million.