The Nebraska Department of Transportation and officials with the City of Grand Island recently celebrated the completion of the U.S. Highway 30 or US 30 Grand Island West project with a ribbon cutting event.
[Above photo by Nebraska DOT]
The agency said the new four-lane expansion and realignment for US 30 provides improved safety and mobility in and around Hall County; improving connectivity for Grand Island residents, workers, and visitors – especially during major events like the Nebraska State Fair and Husker Harvest Days. Nebraska DOT added that “wrap up” work on this project – which began in April 2024 – will continue through November, specifically on turn lanes and medians.
Supported by both Nebraska DOT and the City of Grand Island, the US 30 project was made possible through the use of state and city funds to not only improve mobility and safety for the region but minimize land acquisition as well.
“This project eliminated impacts to the railroad and used new alignment to reduce land acquisition and impacts to local businesses, all while improving safety and mobility for drivers in the area,” Vicki Kramer, Nebraska DOT director, noted in a statement. “It’s an excellent example of how state government and local government can work together.”
“It’s about making our community safer and more connected while setting the stage for future growth on the west side of the city,” added Grand Island Mayor Roger Steele. “Projects like this show what can happen when the city and the state work hand-in-hand — collaboration that truly moves Grand Island in the right direction.”
Across the country, state departments of transportation work with local agencies in a variety of ways to improve their transportation networks.
For example, the New Jersey Department of Transportation is now accepting through December 19 applications for fiscal year 2026 grants via its Local Bridges Fund; a $44 million program funded through the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund, which provides funding for each of New Jersey’s 21 counties for the improvement of county bridges.
“[We] are committed to maintaining and improving local infrastructure to provide a safe and efficient transportation system no matter where you travel within the state,” noted Fran O’Connor, New Jersey DOT commissioner, in a statement. “The Local Bridges Fund provides counties with the financial assistance needed to make critical improvements to bridges under their jurisdiction.”
In October, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) highlighted the award of $7.75 million to 17 local bridge projects in 13 counties via the state’s County and City Bridge Improvement Program; funds earmarked to repair, replace or preserve bridges to improve safety, extend their lifespan, remove lengthy detours and maintain important community links for state residents.
This fourth round of awards funds 12 bridge replacements and five bridges that will be repaired or preserved to extend the life of existing structures. All 17 bridges are currently closed or posted with weight restrictions.
Since the program issued its first round of funding earlier this year, some $32.6 million has been awarded to local governments to address bridges that are closed, have posted weight restrictions or need repair.
Also in October, sidewalks and other active transportation infrastructure received upgrades in three Montana communities from the Montana Department of Transportation.
In the towns of Bridger and Lewiston, crews are nearing completion of new sidewalk corner ramps that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA, along with new sidewalks and driveway approaches, said Lisa Olmsted, a Montana DOT public information consultant.
Finally, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development recently celebrated the completion of five rural bridge replacement projects located in Winn Parish. Four of the new bridges are located along LA 1232 east of the community of Bethlehem, with one on LA 1231-1 in Winnfield.
Construction on the bridges by Louisiana DOTD’s statewide crews began in late 2024 and wrapped up this summer, with crews in the Alexandria region then laying down asphalt paving to tie in the roadway to the bridge and adding traffic stripes in key locations.
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