Heartland Expressway Association will send several board members to Lincoln in February for the annual Lincoln Legislative trip taken by the Leadership Scotts Bluff and Leadership Chadron classes. During the bus trip, the leadership classes will learn about the Heartland Expressway and will have an additional meeting with the Department of Transportation this year. The opportunity to connect with our state government is invaluable and the Heartland Expressway Association looks forward to making the trip.
Ports to Plains Alliance Looks at Corridor-Long Interstate Designation
December 4, 2018 – The Heartland Expressway Association is a part of larger, multi-state alliance that extends from the Mexico-Texas border to the Montana-Canada border. The three federally designated high priority corridors (Ports to Plains, Heartland and Teddy Roosevelt) collectively are looking at the most effective way to approach Congressional representatives about future improvements on the route as a whole. Each state (with the exception of New Mexico) has some portion of the route needing to be expanded to 4 lanes. There is discussion about asking for ‘future Interstate’ designation.
In Nebraska there are many issues to be explored. The most pressing seems to be whether or not future
Interstate designation would have an impact on the traffic allowed. Right now, the designation is just on paper, without requirements from any agency (state of federal) to finish it to Interstate highway standards and regulation.
Ag equipment which currently travels on the Heartland Expressway in Nebraska might be further restricted if Interstate status is achieved. Access in general for nearby communities might be restricted to the point that the ‘cost’ outweighs the benefit. But one thing is certain. If we are not moving forward, we are surely moving backwards. HEA will consult with elected officials, experts from Washington, the Governor and the Director of NDOT before we sign on to any document that includes our portion of the Expressway.
We benefit from working with the other corridors, as a middle section of the whole corridor. What works in Nebraska may or may not work in other states, and vice versa. Our pledge to our supporting communities, businesses and organizations is to investigate the outcomes and choose what we believe is best (and possible) for the Nebraska portion of the corridor.
Deb Cottier, Chairman
Nebraska Announces Funding for Expansion of the Heartland Expressway
September 23, 2016
The Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) and Governor Ricketts announced today $300 million in transportation construction investments, including U.S. 26 from Minatare to U.S. 385, as a 4-lane divided highway, as well as the design of 12 projects, including U.S. 385 from Alliance to Chadron, as a Super 2, and planning of two others. Funded through the Build Nebraska Act (BNA) and the Transportation Innovation Act (TIA), championed by the Governor, these projects will improve safety on our highways, promote economic growth throughout the state –and fulfill the vision of former Governor Kay Orr in 1988 to expand Nebraska’s Expressway System. NDOR has committed construction on all projects will begin by 2024. View NDOR Capital Improvement Projects Webpage
“The Heartland Expressway Association (HEA) is extremely happy to learn that our priorities for the next phases of the 4-lane highway mirror those of the NE Department of Roads. Having the Minatare to US Hwy 385 section listed as a construction project by 2018 assures the completion of the remaining 18 miles needed to complete the 4-lane portion from Kimball to Alliance. We are also pleased that the 59 miles from Alliance to Chadron will be added to the design list as at least a Super 2 configuration, which assures that it will be in line for funding at some point in the future. Our experience in working with the NDOR on this new prioritization process allowed us to have a direct input into that selection. We look forward to continuing that work,” said Deb Cottier, Treasurer for the Heartland Expressway Association.
Construction of U.S. 26 from Minatare to U.S. 385, as a 4-lane divided highway has an estimated project cost of $60M. This construction project was selected because:
- Completes a Gap in the System: Currently, there is an 18-mile stretch of two-lane highway between two sections of US 26 that are already four-lane highway or are planned to be upgraded to four-lane highway.
- Regional and Local Support: This project is part of what is commonly known as the Heartland Expressway Corridor – a project that stakeholders have long stressed the importance of completing.
- Federally Designated High Priority Corridor: The Heartland Expressway Corridor serves as the middle section of the Great Plains International Trade Corridor, which extends from Mexico to Canada. Given its significance for trade and freight transport, it’s one of four federally designated High Priority Corridors that comprise the Ports-to-Plains Alliance.
Design of U.S. 385 from Alliance to Chadron, as a Super 2 for 59 miles. This design project was selected because:
- Regional and Local Support: NDOR will begin design work for a Super 2 on this 59-mile stretch. A Super 2 is a two-lane roadway with paved shoulders and additional passing lanes. Passing lanes will improve safety where truck traffic exists and is growing.
- Federally Designated High Priority Corridor
“The HEA would like to thank not only the NDOR Director Schneweis, but also Governor Ricketts, US Senator Deb Fischer and members of the NE Legislature including Senator Al Davis of the 43rd District, Senator John Stinner of the 48th district and Senator Ken Schilz of the 47th District for their long-time support of this project,” Cottier added.
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NDOR has selected $300 million in transportation projects that will be constructed and funded by the Build Nebraska Act (BNA) and Transportation Innovation Act (TIA). Along with those eight construction projects, NDOR is going to begin design work on an additional 12 projects and planning on two others.
These selections come after several months of work during which NDOR engaged more than 2,000 stakeholders to update and expand its project prioritization process. Project selections are based on engineering and economic factors, and are informed by stakeholder input.