Governor Pillen and Local Leaders Break Ground on Hastings Southeast Project – A Milestone for Nebraska
Grand Island — Today, Governor Jim Pillen, joined by Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) officials and Hastings Mayor Jay Beckby, marked a significant milestone in Nebraska’s commitment to safe and efficient transportation infrastructure with the groundbreaking of the Hastings Southeast project.
This project represents the final planned investment as part of the first 10 years of the Build Nebraska Act (BNA), which expanded 17 expressways, interstate, or national high priority corridors.
The project will reconstruct approximately 2.38 miles of U.S. Highway 6 (US-6) in Adams County. It will improve safety by installing a roundabout to help with traffic flow, creating additional turn lanes, and reducing congestion by using a design that will direct semi traffic out of the city center. Construction is slated to begin as early as spring 2026, but utility work is already underway in the area in preparation for construction season. The entire project is estimated to be completed in summer 2028. Werner Construction, Inc., which is headquartered in Hastings, will serve as the contractor.
Governor Pillen emphasized the project’s role in advancing Nebraska’s transportation priorities. “We are standing by our commitment to modernize Nebraska’s transportation system,” said Gov. Pillen. “The $41 million investment in US-6 is not just a road project; it is a safety project. More than 10,000 vehicles are expected to use this stretch of highway daily by 2045, and this project addresses issues of freight movement and pedestrian safety before they even arise.”
The project is a major infrastructure investment funded through state and local sources. “This project is a long-awaited and much-needed improvement for our community,” said Mayor Beckby. “When finished, the road will safely serve the residents of Hastings and visitors to our community with an appealing entrance to southeast Hastings for many decades into the future.”
“The Hastings Southeast project demonstrates how thoughtful design choices can maximize safety while managing costs,” said NDOT Director Vicki Kramer. “By reconstructing this corridor with modern safety features, strategic truck routing, and improved pedestrian access, we are preparing US-6 to safely serve growing traffic volumes while minimizing impacts.”
BNA revenue supported major improvements statewide, such as expansion of US-385, known as the Heartland Expressway, US- 30 expansion West of Grand Island, Lincoln Bypass, and Expressway expansion on US-75 from Bellevue and Murray and US-30 from Columbus to Fremont.
More infrastructure projects are in development to improve safety and mobility of Nebraska’s infrastructure. NDOT is preparing projects to invest in the Omaha metro area, I-80 Interchange at Newberry in North Platte, and finishing the expansion of US-75 expressway between Murray and Nebraska City and the US-385 Heartland Expressway.