Highway Commission backs US 81 expressway project, recommends governor approve location, design and access control

The Nebraska State Highway Commission on Wednesday voted to recommend that the governor approve project location, design and access control for the US 81 expressway project, a roughly 40-mile corridor between north of York and south of Columbus.

NDOT Project Development engineer Kyle Keller told the commission the work is intended to complete a gap in the state’s expressway system by delivering a four‑lane facility using a “2+2” approach — building two new lanes adjacent to the existing two lanes and later completing the full four‑lane alignment. Keller said the team has completed public outreach, submitted a final environmental document to federal partners and separated the work into six construction packages.

“This 2+2 approach allows us to build without closing the existing lanes and to phase work so the public gets usable segments as construction progresses,” Keller said.

NDOT estimated the corridor’s total cost at up to $450 million and said the agency is working toward a long‑range schedule that currently places construction activity within the FY2029–FY2032 window, subject to funding and federal approvals. Keller said the department is pursuing discretionary federal opportunities and evaluating state funding options to accelerate delivery.

Jeff Broder, NDOT chief counsel, advised commissioners that Nebraska law requires commission approval before NDOT imposes formal access control on a highway and that the governor must give final approval for location and access‑control decisions.

Commission discussion emphasized the project’s long history and regional importance. One commissioner described US 81 as “an important north–south route” and expressed enthusiasm that the project moves the expressway network forward.

The commission then voted to forward a resolution recommending governor approval of the project location, design and access control. The chair called the roll and the vote was recorded as unanimous in favor; the commission recorded no dissent on the motion (tally: yes 9; no 0; abstain 0). The resolution now goes to the governor for final action.

What the project includes and public response

NDOT’s preferred corridor uses two new travel lanes placed alongside existing lanes in most sections, with some three‑lane configurations planned through constrained towns. The design package includes roundabouts, restricted cross‑median return locations at several intersections, consolidated access for private drives and pedestrian crossing treatments where community comments identified school and foot‑traffic needs.

Keller said public outreach began in March 2024 with multiple open houses in York, Shelby and Osceola and a formal public hearing in October 2024. He said about 300 people attended the open houses and 41 attended the hearing; the most common public comments asked about roundabouts, bypasses and the timeline for construction.

Next steps

With commission approval, NDOT will ask the governor to approve the project location, design and access control and will continue right‑of‑way appraisal and acquisition, final design and pursuit of funding. Keller said NDOT will sequence construction to deliver usable segments as funding permits.

Commissioners and NDOT staff noted the timeline and budget estimates are contingent on state and federal funding availability and inflationary pressures. NDOT said it will continue to seek federal discretionary grants and coordinate with regional partners as it advances the project.