Cornhusker State News

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, has advanced more than $60 million in funding for infrastructure and firefighting projects throughout Nebraska. The funding is part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Act, which will be considered by the full Senate.

“From roads and bridges to railways and airports — our infrastructure keeps Nebraska’s communities connected. It allows our farmers and ranchers to bring their goods to market and enables us to travel to work or school. By investing in infrastructure, we are investing in our future. I’m proud to advance these critical investments which will improve our state’s infrastructure for Nebraska’s families and make our Good Life even better,” Fischer said.

The funds include $6 million for electrical improvements at Alliance Airport, $6 million for safety enhancements on the Heartland Expressway, $5.2 million for replacing Lisco Bridge in Garden County, and $5 million to extend the runway and parallel taxiway at Blair Airport. Additional allocations target road paving in Gage County ($4.7 million), road improvements on Fairbury Highway 136 ($4 million), lighting upgrades at Hastings Airport ($4 million), downtown Omaha walkability improvements ($3.5 million), completion of a taxiway and lighting upgrades at Nebraska City Airport ($3.4 million), as well as other local road projects across Sheridan, Garden, Garfield, Polk, Brown counties, Adams Bypass, Exeter grain elevator access road, and Brenner Field Airport in Falls City.

For firefighting resources, Fischer secured $2.5 million for South Sioux City’s aerial ladder fire truck replacement; $1.8 million for Plattsmouth’s aerial ladder fire truck; as well as $1.3 million each for upgrading fire hall facilities in Friend and Clatonia.

Additionally, Fischer included language from her She DRIVES Act that directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to use advanced crash test dummies—an effort aimed at improving roadway safety standards nationwide.