BEATRICE – Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and others celebrated Monday the completion of a more than 18-mile segment of U.S. Highway 275…leaving about 28-miles of construction remaining to finish expressway improvements from West Point to Norfolk.


Pillen urged that everything be done to speed completion of the remaining stretch to Norfolk. He said he’s directing the Nebraska Department of Transportation to do all it can to condense the timeline.
"From my view, 2033 is totally, totally unacceptable...doesn't work. Inadequate transportation infrastructure in northeast Nebraska affects all of us. It affects steel makers, manufacturers, meat processors, livestock, grain producers, farmers and small businesses. The communities need 275 completed."


U.S. 275 was designated by Legislative action in 1988 as part of the Nebraska Expressway system. The Hooper to West Point stretch is the latest to be completed.  "We were able to pass legislation in the first session, to be able to do what many of us in this room believe should have been done years and years ago. And, that is get bonding approved, so that we can complete infrastructure. Today, we will be letting out that the next 12 miles have been let and bid...and are moving forward."


During an event at Mohr Auditorium in Scribner, NDOT Director Vicki Kramer said three segments having been completed...took the cooperation between local communities, contractors, subcontractors and the DOT.


"Everyone who helped us get to today. It's what tomorrow looks like. I hope to see everybody back here when we complete the next segment and when we actually finalize this corridor. That's when the real fun happens. That's what we saw on Highway 30....to stay in it. As a community member, thanks for being here and supporting it. There's a few of you who have been after us and biting at our heels for the last ten, twenty years, to make this day happen."


Governor Pillen says his administration’s mindset is to work more aggressively with the federal government to tap programs that can help the state provide infrastructure necessary as the state grows. "I can see the meter running, but we're working hard on federal funds with no strings attached, so that we can get investments of equity."


Pillen says several grants have been received for transportation, hospitals and medical care, agriculture and rural electric infrastructure.


In the expressway program, the emphasis is on connecting urban centers to the interstate, supporting economic growth and enhancing quality of life in communities. The latest stretch of U.S. 275 was undertaken by Graham Construction, Inc. Hawkins Construction won the bid for the next segment of U.S. 275 expansion.