Nebraska Department of Transportation
The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) has been awarded $15.6 million in grant funding to overhaul aging infrastructure in the state’s capital. The award, granted through the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Competitive Highway Bridge Program (CHBP), is a direct result of NDOT’s initiative to aggressively pursue federal discretionary funds to bolster Nebraska’s transportation network.
The CHBP provides federal funds for highway bridge replacement or rehabilitation projects that demonstrate cost savings by bundling bridge projects. The $15.6 million will support the Capital City Connector Lincoln Interstate Bridges project, addressing critical infrastructure needs on Interstate 80 (I-80) and Interstate 180 (I-180). Three of the four bridges are currently rated in poor condition, with the fourth expected to reach poor condition by 2030. The bridges that will be repaired are I-180 southbound over I-80 and I-180 northbound over I-80. Bridges that will see full replacement are the Adams Street Bridge over I-180, and U.S. Highway 6 (US-6) over I-180.
“I want to congratulate NDOT for its leadership in pursuing federal resources that will replace and repair these critical bridges,” said Gov. Pillen. “Thanks to the Trump Administration’s investment in rural America, these upgrades will keep Nebraskans safe, connected, and moving for years to come.”
The project will not only address aging infrastructure, but will also significantly improve safety for motorists, pedestrians, and freight traffic. Upgrades include replacing substandard railings with crash- resistant barriers, improving connectivity with a new 10-foot pedestrian and bicycle pathway on the Adams Street Bridge, and eliminating load restrictions on the Adams Street Bridge to improve access for all vehicle classes.
“Securing this funding is a crucial step in keeping Nebraska’s transportation system safe and reliable, especially along a critical corridor connecting downtown Lincoln and I-80,” said NDOT Director Vicki Kramer. “I’m incredibly proud of NDOT’s grants team and the Nebraska Infrastructure Hub (IHUB). This project wouldn’t have been possible without them. NDOT has striven to meet Governor Pillen’s expectation to competitively seek federal discretionary funds, and we are seeing the fruits of that effort.”
In addition to safety improvements, bundling all four bridges is expected to save up to 20% in construction costs through synchronized contracting, shared mobilization, and concurrent detours. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2026, with completion anticipated in 2027.
