Today, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of construction to expand approximately 18.5 miles of U.S. Highway 275 (US-275) from a two-lane highway to a four-lane divided expressway from Scribner, Nebraska to West Point, Nebraska.
Once construction of this segment is complete in 2024, 91 of the 115 miles, nearly 80 percent of the US-275 Norfolk to Omaha Expressway, will be constructed as a four-lane divided expressway. This will provide greater mobility and connectivity for the region.
At the ceremony, NDOT elected officials and project partners spoke about how the US-275 Scribner-West Point Expressway will improve the quality of life for Nebraskans.
NDOT Director John Selmer spoke to the immediate benefits commuters and freight traffic will realize when construction is complete. “Safety is our number one priority, and this four-lane expressway provides a safer and more convenient transportation option,” Selmer said. “We are thrilled that the hard work and dedication of NDOT staff and project partners has culminated in construction.”
Governor Pete Ricketts highlighted the importance of US-275 to the Nebraska economy. “US-275 serves as a vital link to the region’s steelmakers, manufacturers, meat processors, cattle feeders, farmers and small businesses in northeast Nebraska,” said Governor Ricketts. “The expanded expressway will reduce travel times for residents and support our state’s continued growth.”
West Point Mayor Bruce Schlecht emphasized the increased connectivity between communities. “This project has been a long time coming and we are excited to gather here today to celebrate that it is finally moving forward,” said Schlecht. “This will increase capacity, provide connectivity, and support economic growth along a key roadway connecting our northeast Nebraska communities to the state’s urban hub.”
Matt Tondl, Senior Vice President, HDR, touched briefly on the design aspects of the project. “I am proud to represent our team at this groundbreaking today. As we have worked with our partners at NDOT we have been able to finalize the preparation of the plans to bring this project to the forefront, to have it let and constructed. It is a day to celebrate.”
Tim Gerhardt, President of Koss Construction, expressed appreciation for the team whose efforts are contributing to the success of this project. “We are excited for the opportunity to bring these long sought-after improvements to the expressway system,” said Gerhardt. “We look forward to working with our transportation partners at NDOT to provide a roadway that will serve the traveling public for decades to come.”
