Press Release
Included in the $286.4 billion federal transportation bill approved Friday by Congress is $21.1 million — more than originally anticipated — for the Highway 35 expressway project.
“Highway 35 is tremendously valuable to this region and to its continued economic development,” said U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry. “The total appropriation in the highway bill conference report represents a strong federal commitment to this project.”
Fortenberry, who represents Nebraska’s 1st District, along with U.S. Sens. Chuck Hagel and Ben Nelson, worked together to earmark the $21.1 million for the project.
“Sen. Nelson is pleased that the delegation collectively made the Highway 35 project a priority,” said David DiMartino, communications director for Nelson.
Planning work, including determining the specific route to be taken, has begun on transforming Highway 35 from Norfolk to South Sioux City into a four-lane expressway. But no construction has begun on what has been estimated to be a $150 million project.
The $21.1 million would give the project a definite boost, Fortenberry said.
“I credit the strong local leadership from South Sioux, Wayne and Norfolk for their aggressive partnership in this effort, the Republican congressman said, specifically offering praise for the efforts of Norfolk Mayor Gordon Adams.
The Nebraska Department of Roads has been working on the preliminary draft environmental impact statement, which needs to be reviewed by the state and the Federal Highway Administration. A public hearing on the work could be held early next year.
Overall, the surface transportation bill will provide Nebraska with a total of $1.389 billion over the the five years of its life, making for an average of $277 million a year. That’s a 30 percent increase over the average of $213 million under the previous highway bill, DiMartino said.
“It is great to have a highway bill in place that will safeguard and improve our nation’s transportation system and keep our economy strong,” Fortenberry said. “Working together, Nebraska’s delegation was able to secure significant federal commitments to many of our home state’s most important road projects.”
- Story Courtesy of the Norfolk Daily News
