On Monday morning, Governor Pete Ricketts and several other officials gathered along Highway 385 north of Angora to celebrate the completion of the latest segment of the Heartland Expressway from Link 62A to Alliance.
Ricketts emphasized that the completion of this segment of the Heartland Expressway is crucial for growth in Nebraska. He explained that working with local entities helped to make the project come to fruition.
“As part of the Heartland Express, this is something that will help us be able to develop trade and commerce,” said Ricketts. “It will be an alternative, for example, to I-25, so maybe we can move some of that traffic a little bit farther east here and take advantage of that. With NAFTA getting re-signed as the US Mexico Canada Trade Agreement, we should see continued development of the three countries’ trade relationships that will help bring more traffic through the Nebraska Panhandle. It will also help not only develop economic development for our cities here in the Panhandle as well as trade, but also for safety and convenience, making the whole process of transportation through the Panhandle easier.”
Ricketts explained the goal of establishing and constructing the Heartland Expressway dates back to the 1980s. He said it was an exciting day to see another segment of that goal being completed.
John Selmer, Nebraska Department of Transportation Director, explained that this project was finished six months ahead of schedule. He said that in looking to the future, the Heartland Expressway brings opportunities to the region, which is why it is important to continue pushing the project forward.
State Senator Steve Erdman, who could not be in attendance at the event, sent a written statement that was read by Selmer. In the statement, Erdman emphasized his gratitude for all those who worked on the project, highlighting its efficiency.
Alliance Mayor Mike Dafney cited the project’s history at the event, noting that it has been 28 years in the making.
“Twenty eight years ago, we got the corridor development management plan outlining the benefits that a four-lane divided highway from the front range of Colorado to Rapid City would provide,” Dafney said. “As you come through here, you can say Alliance is a little bit of a poster boy for that outline. Five businesses have located on the Heartland with its development.”
Jonnie Kusek, Transportation Director for Panhandle Trails Intercity Public Transit, expressed her gratitude for the completion of this segment, noting it provides increased safety.
Selmer explained that the next portion of the project they are expecting to complete runs east of Minatare to connect with what was just completed. He noted they are in the review stages and are planning the final design. He hopes that construction will start in 2025. He said the portion north of Alliance to the South Dakota Border is just in the initial planning stage.
Dafney, in an interview after the event, said he feels the progress on the project is hard to believe. He said in 1993 when he was the Mayor of Alliance, he gave testimony at a public hearing in support of the project. He noted that at the time, they had planned for the project to go from Angora through the Sandhills, but that he voiced concerns for the farmers and ranchers who would be affected by that, noting they should follow the existing highway.
“For me to finally see these 26 miles from Alliance to Angora, it’s an exciting thing for me because I was on the ground floor,” Dafney said. “You can see what it has done for Alliance here on the south end. The economic impact is pretty evident when you see the cars at Bomgaars almost every day all day long. I think it’s just going to get better. It’s going to draw businesses out there, I think, as time goes by.”
Dafney explained that the next portion of the project will likely have some challenges, specifically in planning how to work around the irrigation canal that crosses under the existing highway. He noted that the portion leading from Alliance to the South Dakota border is still being planned. He explained that he was under the impression it would be a four-lane divided highway, though currently they are planning for a super two-lane highway. He noted that as repairs are needed, crews will keep the future of the highway in mind and plan to make changes as the repairs are made.
Dafney said that as these projects come to fruition, they help promote the region as a place primed for economic growth.
“The Heartland designation has brought us economic development,” said Dafney. “If the four-lane could talk, I think it would say that, ‘The Panhandle, along with the rest of Nebraska is open for business.’ It’s nice, and I think it’s just going to get better along the corridor for businesses.”