CONTACT:
Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495
Allan Urlis, (531) 510-8529
Jeni Campana, NDOT, (402) 560-9764
Governor Pillen congratulates Beatrice and NDOT on securing a federal grant for essential downtown improvements
LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen congratulated the City of Beatrice on the recent award of a $21,389,417 federal grant from the RAISE program to fund the Court Street Access and Safety Transformation (CAST) Initiative project aimed at rerouting US-136 and improving the downtown area. The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) supported the grant application and will assist in the implementation of the project.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program is highly competitive and supports projects that prioritize safety, economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and quality of life. The CAST proposal outlined the city’s commitment to improving its infrastructure while fostering a thriving downtown district and is consistent with USDOT’s Vision Zero goal.
“I want to congratulate the City of Beatrice on receiving $21 million in federal funding to improve mobility and enhance the downtown area,” said Governor Pillen. “I am proud that Beatrice has taken advantage of this opportunity, and I appreciate NDOT’s efforts in helping them make the project a reality. It is a great achievement for Nebraska.”
The CAST initiative will transform the Court Street corridor to strengthen the business community by supporting existing efforts and bringing additional economic growth to downtown. The centerpiece of the project is the rerouting of US-136, a major thoroughfare that currently bisects downtown. By rerouting the highway, Beatrice hopes to create a more people-friendly environment that encourages residents and visitors to explore local shops and restaurants and increase residential investment.
The $21 million grant will be used to cover the costs of redesigning and rebuilding the road, including creating additional safety features for pedestrians and cyclists.
“NDOT recognizes the time commitment required to complete large and transformative projects,” said NDOT Director Vicki Kramer. “The planning and effort the City of Beatrice has put into developing the CAST initiative deserves recognition. NDOT’s Local Assistance Division looks forward to continuing to support the project and our local governments as they continue to compete for federal funding.”
In addition to the City of Beatrice, Lincoln County also received a $750,000 grant from the RAISE program to study alternative routes for freight transportation and improvements to pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure. The study will also support the ongoing development of the Nebraska International Port of the Plains, which is being built in Lincoln County. The inland port will serve as a hub for multimodal transportation and distribution of goods.
The Nebraska International Port of the Plains was created by the Municipal Inland Port Authority Act. This 2023 law directed the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to designate no more than seven inland port districts statewide. There are currently inland port districts in Fremont, Bellevue, Omaha and North Platte.
