Legislative committee hears support, concerns over proposed highway project

LINCOLN, Neb. – Members of the state Legislature’s Transportation and Telecommunications Committee heard concerns on Monday regarding LB1274, which would require the Nebraska Department of Transportation to plan, design and purchase rights-of-way for U.S. Highway 81 and Nebraska Highway 20.

“It’s one of the most important arteries of northeast Nebraska,” Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Austen Hagood said of the stretch of roadway. “It’s also one of the most dangerous.”

“We’re very interested in all of 81, but especially that section between Columbus and York,” Columbus Chamber of Commerce President Dawson Brunswick.

The proposal also received support from Norfolk Mayor Josh Moenning, who was unable to attend the meeting, but sent a letter expressing his backing.

NDOT director John Selmer, however, shared concerns with the committee, stating that allowing the Legislature to dictate which projects NDOT must prioritize would open the door to the department being pulled in several different directions, including its current statewide expressway project that has been in the works since the 1980s.

“NDOT is well aware of the disappointment many feel about the speed, or lack thereof, in the development of the expressway system,” Selmer said.

He said the expressway project stands to face further delays if it is directed toward a new project.

“Some of it’s funding too,” Selmer said. “We can’t do every project at once.”