Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is committing $722 million to transportation infrastructure with the launch of the state’s 2026 Surface Transportation Program. The program will fund 92 projects that improve highway infrastructure across the state, covering more than 560 miles of roadway.
The program is designed to rehabilitate and modernize existing transportation assets, expand capacity and efficiency and increase safety for drivers and pedestrians. It comes on the heels of an early 2025 bond award for the completion of the US-275 Expressway, where several of the program’s key projects are planned. Gov. Pillen directed the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) to expedite completion of the expressway late last year.
The program features over 90 total projects. The top-funded initiatives include:
- $71.0 million for US-275 Wisner to West Point North: Major 4-lane expressway construction project spanning 12.2 miles in Cuming County.
- $39.0 million for I-80 Odessa to Kearney Eastbound: Complete interstate reconstruction with 4-lane grading, structures and concrete pavement over 9.3 miles in Buffalo County.
- $34.5 million for US-6 Hastings Southeast: Urban capacity expansion converting 2.3 miles of roadway to three-lane configuration in Adams County.
- $28.2 million for US-77/Warlick Boulevard Interchange: Major interchange construction project in Lancaster County (carryover from previous fiscal year).
- $27.2 million for US-275 East Junction N-15 to Wisner: Continuation of the US-275 expressway corridor with 4-lane construction spanning 4.2 miles in Cuming County.
Two of the top five projects with the highest funding will develop the US-275 Expressway in northeastern Nebraska. According to officials, the efforts will increase freight efficiency and connect agricultural communities, providing critical access to the grain and livestock industries in that region.
The single largest investment is the US-275 corridor development between Wisner and West Point North, receiving $71 million for fiscal year 2026 (FY26). Construction is slated to last from July 2025 to June 2026. It encompasses more than 12 miles of complete 4-lane construction, including grading and structural supports such as bridges and culverts.
Another major project focuses on I-80 from Odessa to Kearney Eastbound. This corridor is identified as a key freight route running east to west across the state, carrying everything from agricultural products to manufactured goods. It also sees increased traffic from interstate travelers passing through.
The busy corridor will see more than $39 million in improvements for FY26. These include complete 4-lane grading, structural improvements, safety upgrades and full-depth concrete pavement.
Structural changes include new or rebuilt bridges, culverts or other drainage structures to handle increased loads and flood mitigation. Safety upgrades include crossover construction in medians, meant to provide access points for emergency responders or construction crews, as well as improvements to signage, lighting and guardrails. The full-depth concrete pavement is also a key component, providing increased load bearing capability and resilience given the heavy freight traffic.
The program also addresses urban infrastructure needs, allocating $34.5 million for road capacity expansion in Adams County. The goal is to reduce congestion through the Hastings metropolitan area and improve access to regional services for city residents.
The plan includes expanding US-6, a critical east-west route, from two lanes to three lanes in the most congested area. This covers a 2.3-mile stretch through Adams County and will include improved intersections, drainage infrastructure and pedestrian accommodations.
These major projects are part of a much larger effort spanning all eight NDOT districts statewide. The $722 million investment represents the first year of Nebraska’s five-year transportation plan, which runs through 2031. The program combines both state and federal funding sources, including innovative bond financing that allows for accelerated project timelines.
Beyond traditional road construction, the plan also includes technology upgrades such as intelligent transportation systems, traffic cameras and digital message signs to improve traffic management. Some projects will also use alternative delivery methods that bring contractors into the planning process earlier, streamlining construction and potentially reducing costs for taxpayers.
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