Another leg of the Heartland Expressway is set to be transformed into a four lane divided highway beginning at the L62-A junction and terminating at the existing divided highway south of Alliance.
According to the Nebraska Department of Transportation, work is expected to begin on March 15, weather permitting. The $32 million contract for the project was awarded to IHC-Scott, Inc., of Centennial, Colo.
The project is also expected to incorporate intersection improvements, lighting and drainage structures. The work is expected to be complete in fall of 2022.
More plans are in the works for the Heartland Expressway, according to the organization’s website, showing a segment of highway from Minatare to the L62-A junction expected to be completed within the next five years. A bill introduced in the Nebraska Legislature by Senator Lynne Walz would allow for more money to be allocated for the project through the issuance of $400 million in bonds over the next six years.
Legislative Bill 542 would authorize the state highway commission to issue the bonds, which would be expected to be paid off by July 2040. Proceeds from the sale of bonds would be used to complete highway construction projects listed under the Build Nebraska Act, including the Heartland Expressway.
“The Legislature finds that safe and modern highway infrastructure is of great importance to Nebraska’s residents, agricultural economy, business economy, and future economic growth,” LB542 states. “Furthermore, the Legislature finds that it is in the interest of Nebraska taxpayers to leverage historically low interest rates to offset the challenges that construction inflation and uncertain federal highway funding pose to adequately financing the state’s infrastructure needs.”
Walz designated LB542 as a priority bill on Tuesday.