NORFOLK, Neb. -- A project two years in the making reached a major milestone Tuesday.

A & R Construction was awarded the contract for "Project No. C-59-812 Norfolk North" to pave roadways that lead to the future soy-bean crush facility in Norfolk.

This would include work on existing roadways like Northeast Industrial Highway and Nucor Road.

A & R was the lowest of six potential offers with a construction bid of $2,654,882.14, a construction start date of June, and a completion date of August 2024.

However, Richard Johnson, Madison County's Highway Superintendent, said Norfolk Crush wanted to start construction sooner, so it would be operational for the 2024 harvest.

Luckily for Norfolk Crush, Johnson said after speaking with Jason Aschoff of A & R Construction, they are willing to move up the project date.

"I realize the start date and completion date aren't what Norfolk Crush would like," Johnson said. "He [Aschoff] is willing to move in, in April."

However, this doesn't mean the project is guaranteed to be completed in time for harvest season. 

Commissioners said the completion date would all depend on the weather, something that is out of their hands. 

They also said they may have to lower speed limits and enforce a weight limit on roads near the plant, but said they would not take any immediate action.

The project marks the beginning of the end for the plant since it was first announced over two years ago

The $335 million project has been under construction since receiving approval from the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy approved the project in late 2022. 

Norfolk Crush is expected to create 55 jobs and produce over 800,000 tons of soybean meal per year.