The recent passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 (H.R. 4366) marks another significant milestone for the Ports-to-Plains Alliance corridor. This legislation, which cleared the U.S. Senate on Friday, March 8, 2024, and the U.S. House on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, was signed into law by President Biden on Saturday, March 9, 2024.
Among the notable provisions of the bill are allocations totaling $29.165 million for four community projects benefiting the Ports-to-Plains Alliance corridor. These projects were championed by various U.S. House members and Senators, reflecting a bipartisan commitment to infrastructure development. U.S. Senator Deb Fischer was able to secure $12.865 million for continued Heartland Expressway Improvements.
“The Heartland Expressway Association is grateful to US Senator Deb Fischer for securing $12.8 million in the FY 2024 budget for work on the current construction phase of the Heartland Expressway between Minatare, NE and US Highway 385 junction east of Scottsbluff. This critical piece of funding will assure the creation of another 18 miles of 4-lane divided highway in western Nebraska,” said Deb Cottier, Board Chair from Chadron.
“Senator Fischer has been a long-time supporter of roads in Nebraska, especially the Heartland Expressway which is an expansion of the original state expressway system begun when Senator Fischer was in the Nebraska Legislature. She has made good on her promise to help and kept the funding alive until Congress could act on the transportation portion of the budget,” she said.