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NDOT says limited one‑time transfers can be absorbed; urges care before sweeping highway funds

Appropriations Committee (Nebraska Legislature) · February 4, 2026

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Summary

NDOT Director Vikki Kramer supported limited one‑time transfers from aeronautics and grade crossing funds to the general fund but cautioned against redirecting ongoing highway user revenue, noting possible impacts to programmed state highway projects and urging identification of a dedicated revenue source for county bridge programs.

Vikki Kramer, director of the Nebraska Department of Transportation, told the Appropriations Committee NDOT cooperated with the governor’s office to assess cash flows and identified two limited transfers that could be accommodated without disrupting programmed airport or grade‑crossing commitments: a one‑time $750,000 shift from the aeronautics cash fund (21710) in June 2026 and a pair of $1,250,000 transfers from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund in June 2026 and June 2027. Kramer thanked the committee for excluding redirection of ongoing monthly investment earnings from aeronautics funds in the preliminary budget.

Kramer also cautioned about broader use of highway user revenue for county infrastructure. NDOT opposes redirecting highway user revenue to fund county‑owned bridges because the department faces a growing gap between its revenue and the cost to maintain the state highway system. She said NDOT has pursued federal discretionary and formula options and is developing the department’s infrastructure hub and alternative delivery models to pursue bundled projects and financing (including federal financing tools) that could achieve economies of scale for off‑system bridge work.

Committee members asked about federal reauthorization and potential impacts; Kramer said the state’s federal allocation may see reductions and that NDOT is working to minimize formula impacts and preserve programmed projects.