Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and the chairman of the Transportation and Safety Subcommittee, and U.S. Representative Don Bacon (R-Neb.), released the following statements today after the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) announced a $16.9 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant to widen 120th Street in Omaha to a four lane divided street:

“Omaha will see great benefits from this critical transportation grant, which is why I wrote a letter to DoT expressing how important this project was to the metro-area. This BUILD grant will make life easier for commuters and families by providing more capacity in an area where there is an increasing amount of traffic. Another part of this project will be installing new street lighting, traffic signals, and a median to help keep drivers and pedestrians safe,” said Senator Fischer.

“This grant award is great news for the City of Omaha because it is critically important to the connectivity, economic vitality, and quality of life for both residents of the City of Omaha and others that live in the larger Omaha area,” said Rep. Bacon. “I was pleased to lend my support to the project because of growing commerce in the area; it will satisfy growing congestion issues; and will provide support for interconnection between area bicycle and pedestrian trails encouraging active healthy lifestyles." 

More information from the U.S. Department of Transportation:

The BUILD Transportation Discretionary Grant program provides a unique opportunity for the DOT to invest in road, rail, transit, and port projects that promise to achieve national objectives. Previously known as Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER Discretionary Grants, Congress has dedicated nearly $7.1 billion for 10 rounds of National Infrastructure Investments to fund projects that have a significant local or regional impact. 

The city of Omaha was awarded $16.9 million, which will cover 80 percent of the cost of the $21.2 million project to widen 120th Street between Stonegate Drive and Fort Street. This project includes other improvements such as adding sidewalks, new street lighting and traffic signals, and communications infrastructure.

You can read Senator Fischer’s letter to the DoT here and Congressman Don Bacon’s letter here.

Pursuant to Senate Policy, petitions, opinion polls and unsolicited mass electronic communications cannot be initiated by this office for the 60-day period immediately before the date of a primary or general election. Subscribers currently receiving electronic communications from this office who wish to unsubscribe may do so here.