Nebraska's Surface Transportation Program for 2026
Message from Director Vicki Kramer
The mission of the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) is to provide the best possible transportation system for the movement of people and goods. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Nebraska Surface Transportation Program specifies how the Department plans to preserve and modernize existing assets, increase safety of the transportation system and expand capacity of the network.
The book contains:
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Contact information for the NDOT District Engineers and Highway Commissioners
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District Specific Project Maps
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The FY 2026 Construction Program
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The Five-Year Planning Program
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Summary of program changes since last published
Under the leadership of the Pillen Administration and with the support of the Nebraska Legislature, NDOT was able further refine its project delivery processes during the 2025 Legislative Session. LB 590 allows NDOT to further streamline processes to address environmental concerns with an in-lieu fee program, a tool that helps manage resources and can improve project schedules. Additionally, LB 558 creates a structure to analyze Nebraska’s transportation network, balanced against available revenues to facilitate a conversation around the capacity of Nebraska’s transportation network and its ability to support the states economic needs.
Additionally, with the approval of NDOT’s budget, the Legislature provided an increase in the Highway Cash Fund appropriation so that Nebraska can continue to fully match the federal formula funding available for surface transportation. This appropriation increase provides a recurring revenue source to replace the one-time transfer from the State Cash Reserve Fund that had been provided to match federal funds over the past three years. Continued support of NDOT’s priorities allows us to continue modernizing our business practices, expedite project timelines and increase safety for the traveling public. These efforts allow Nebraska’s transportation system to evolve and continue to deliver value to the traveling public.
A primary initiative of the Pillen Administration has been to shift to a smarter way of financing long-term infrastructure investments. In early 2025, the Highway Commission approved the state’s first bond issuance for completion of the Highway 275 expressway system corridor. This has allowed NDOT to minimize the time between project segments and commit to construction of the remaining projects within an expediated schedule, several years ahead of the anticipated corridor completion timeline. NDOT also continues to add targeted capacity and congestion relief to the state’s largest economic hub through the Metro Area Travel Improvement Study (MTIS) in the Omaha-Council Bluffs Metro Area with the I-680 Pacific to Dodge preservation and expansion.
A fairly new addition to the Program Book reflects another innovation and long-term investment of the Department. In 2016, the Transportation Innovation Act (TIA) authorized NDOT to use alternative project delivery methods. In 2023, NDOT began a new approach to alternative delivery resulting in the 2025 selection of two complex bridge projects that will benefit from early contractor involvement. It is the intent of the Department to leverage collaborative contracting methods on several additional projects in District 2 in the five-year planning program.
NDOT rounds out our ongoing commitment to refining our business practices with a transition to digital project delivery. Working closely with the consultant and contractor industries, NDOT has begun revolutionizing how highway and bridge infrastructure in Nebraska is planned, designed, constructed and maintained. Embracing digital project delivery facilitates streamlined information sharing and increases the magnitude and accuracy of data available to make technical decisions.
I am proud of the projects NDOT works so hard to deliver every year, but what excites me about 2026 is the demonstrated growth and commitment to stepping out of our comfort zone in the name of efficiency, for the benefit of the taxpayer. The Department remains dedicated to providing a reliable transportation system that supports and encourages economic growth and improves quality of life for all, providing a foundation for thriving communities.
Download the 2026-2031 Surface Transportation Program Book
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*Project cost estimates contained in the book represent the planning estimates of the total costs of a project. These include: preliminary engineering, right-of-way, utilities, early planning estimates of construction, and other costs. They do not represent the final estimated construction cost of any project which goes to letting for bid by contractors.
Interactive GIS Map
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