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.
‘Super 2’ highways considered for stretching road budgets
LINCOLN (AP) — Road planners are considering “Super 2” highways as a way to stretch Nebraska’s highway dollars.
The two-lane highways have wider shoulders and an extra passing lane every five miles or so.
Nebraska Roads Department engineers have said the design could increase traffic flow at less than half the price of a new four-lane highway: about $1.5 million per mile instead of $4 million per mile.
The goal is getting the most mileage out of about $1 billion in state road funding for new construction through 2033.
“Nebraska has far more transportation needs than dollars available,” department director Kyle Schneweis said in an email this month to members of a state transportation advisory group, the Lincoln Journal Star reported.
“Instead of the stark choice of either upgrading a two-lane road to a four-lane highway or providing no improvement at all, sometimes a Super 2 highway could provide an intermediate improvement with better paved shoulders and passing lanes every five miles,” Schneweis said.
The department hasn’t said where Super 2s might be used.
Four-lane highways are still planned for U.S. 275 from Norfolk to Fremont and U.S. 81 from York to Columbus, said Khalil Jaber, the Roads Department’s deputy director for engineering.
However, working drafts of the Panhandle’s Heartland Expressway call for converting parts of U.S. 385 into Super 2s from north of Alliance through Chadron and into South Dakota.
The department plans to hold public meetings in July before deciding how it will prioritize new highway projects.
Article courtesy of the Omaha World Herald (http://www.omaha.com/news/nebraska/super-highways-considered-for-stretching-road-budgets/article_7151e308-26c0-11e6-ada1-d377e3599d43.html)
Testimony: Act key to helping freight move FAST across the country
Economic development and keeping products moving cross country were among the discussions during a hearing in Scottsbluff Monday.
A U.S. Senate field hearing, “Keeping Goods Moving in America’s Heartland,” was held by the Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security Subcommittee in Scottsbluff Wednesday to discuss the FAST Act, a five-year federal highway bill approved by Congress and signed into law by President Obama on Dec. 4, 2015.
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and committee chairman heard from stakeholders about the impact the act has on rural Nebraska. The FAST Act includes provisions to improve the nation’s infrastructure and establish a national freight policy. The hearing focused on the economic impact of freight transportation in rural areas, how the act will be implemented and ways in which transportation networks can be strengthened.
Fischer said without a robust transportation system the U.S. cannot offer products domestically or around the world. One of her goals in the Senate was to pass a long-term highway bill.
“For nearly a decade, Congress passed 36 short-term extension,” Fischer said. “I’m proud to see this achieved.”
The FAST Act provides more career opportunities for veterans, allows younger people with a Commercial Driver’s license (CDL) to operate commercial freight across state lines and creates work opportunities for veterans.
Kyle Schneweis, director Nebraska Department of Roads, said most concerns are impacted by rural challenges.
“The emphasis on access and connectivity stresses our understanding of our rural landscape and commitment to growth through partnerships and economic opportunity,” Schneweis said.
Deb Cottier, executive director, Northwest Nebraska Development Corporation, said freight movement and roads are critical. She said the Heartland Expressway is the missing link in the highway network.
“Western Nebraska is isolated from major highways. The only way to get there is on two-lane roads,” Cottier said. “The prosperity of America’s heartland depends on four lanes.”
Without the Build Nebraska Act, Cottier said she didn’t think the Nebraska Department of Roads would complete it, despite the economic benefits.
“For every dollar invested in road improvements, we see two dollars return in economics,” Cottier said.
The expressway from Kimball to Scottbluff is currently four lanes. The other parts include east on Highway 26, 92, 385 and Alliance through Chadron to the South Dakota state line.
Right at the Nebraska/South Dakota state line, it drops to two lanes.
“It’s a visual we can all see,” Cottier said. “It creates this bottleneck and traffic hazard.”
Don Overman, chairman, Western Nebraska Regional Airport Authority Board, said FAST is critical for rural airports across the country. Overman said the airport is important in serving airlines as well as businesses, such as FedEx and UPS, who also use the state’s roads to travel 120-150 miles nearly every day.
“Good roads are essential for the economic development of our entire area,” Overman said.
Overman said from an economic standpoint, the airport is needed otherwise large businesses will not consider coming to the area. Overman also said FedEx and UPS deliver the items people want or need.
“We’re an overnight society now,” Overman said. “People order from companies all over the United States and want it tomorrow.”
It’s never there soon enough, said Brent Holliday, chief executive officer, Nebraska Transport Company. Holliday said businesses don’t warehouse or stock merchandise like they used to, leading to a more urgent need.
“They need to have freight that can get from Chicago to Denver in two days, they rely heavily on that,” Holliday said. “Their inventory is so low, if a customer needs something, they may not have it in stock.”
Holliday was also concerned about the 48,000 truck driver shortage nationwide because trucks represent the first and last mile in a worldwide freight train.
“In Nebraska, there are 13,500 carriers. The majority are small carriers,” Holliday said. “For an effective network, you have to have an ample supply of carriers large and small.”
FAST attempts to make sure drivers are competent. Drivers are required to have 30 hours of instruction and most companies, Holliday’s included, have eight hours of additional mandated classroom instruction.
Holliday said FAST was a good start and hopes it leads to different industries interacting more, but wants enforcement to be more consistent from state to state.
“Regulation is not a bad thing,” Holliday said. “It’s made the industry safe and drivers physically and mentally fit to share highways with our families.”
David Freeman, senior vice president of transportation, BNSF Railway, said the act has provided BNSF with some positives in relation to railroad crossings. BNSF has 24,000 crossings, which don’t include pedestrian crossings, overpasses or underpasses. Freeman said BNSF wanted to do whatever is helpful for the overall system of business,
“The other side for us is the ability to generate modes of transportation having a consistent timely process,” Freeman said. “We want to do stuff that is helpful for the overall system of business, but realize there is an effective environmental and economic process and we want to be a part of that.”
Schneweis said accommodations take eight to ten years to deliver, especially when discussing roads expanding from two to four lanes.
“We understand the economic impacts,” Schneweis said. “It’s the Build Nebraska Act, not the Build Eastern Nebraska Act.”
Article by Irene North, Staff Reporter for the Scottsbluff Star Herald (http://www.starherald.com/news/local_news/testimony-act-key-to-helping-freight-move-fast-across-the/article_de1f3b14-4495-536b-9dfb-1a7f05f9d1b3.html)
Bill to accelerate work on Nebraska roads, bridges advances
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A bill designed to expedite work on Nebraska road and bridge projects has won first-round approval from lawmakers.
The measure that advanced Tuesday on a 43-0 vote would withdraw $50 million from the state’s cash reserve for an “infrastructure bank” fund.
The Nebraska Department of Roads would pull money from the fund for highway projects, a grant program to pay for county bridge repairs, and road improvements that are deemed likely to attract new businesses.
The proposal is one of Gov. Pete Ricketts’ top priorities. Revenue from last year’s fuel tax increase would add to the fund, generating an estimated $400 million between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2033.
Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion says the bill will help the state economy. The bill is LB960.
Article courtesy of The Washington Times (LINK)