Ricketts Secures $21 Million in Grants to Reconstruct I-80 in Nebraska

January 24, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) announced $21,172,718 in federal funding he helped to secure for the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) to reconstruct approximately 9 miles of Interstate 80 between Odessa and Kearney, Nebraska. These Multimodal Project Discretionary Grants from the Department of Transportation (DOT) will also allow for the replacement of a rural bridge over Interstate 80 in the affected area.

“Interstate 80 is essential to moving people across our state,”Ricketts said. “It’s also a critical freight corridor for our nation’s supply chain and Nebraska’s infrastructure and economy. When completed, this reconstruction will improve farm-to-market operations and promote economic development in rural Nebraska. I was pleased to see DOT respond to our letter of support and fund this important project in our state.”

BACKGROUND:

In October, Senator Ricketts sent a letter of support for the project to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. He also reiterated his support in a phone call with Secretary Buttigieg.

Full text of the letter can be found below and a PDF is available here.