Nebraska Receives $4.53M in Funding through Federal Discretionary Grants

Jan. 14, 2025 (Lincoln, Neb.) — Last week it was announced that several Nebraska communities will receive a combined $4.53 million in federal discretionary grants. These competitive grants will provide funding for a variety of projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people. Nebraska received the following awards that will result in safer and more connected communities for pedestrians and motorists:

City of Norfolk – Multi-modal Path ($2,086,412)
This project, funded by the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant, will create a partial design for a 4.8-mile multi-modal path, including the infrastructure needed for a 10-foot-wide trail. The path will enhance safety by addressing current gaps, such as adding more marked and signaled crosswalks where there is only one today. It will also reduce transportation-related pollution and provide more affordable travel options, improving the overall quality of life. 

City of Lincoln – Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations ($640,000)
This EV Charging Station project, funded by the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Grant, will install 20 charging ports at five locations in underserved areas, including public parks, a library, a cultural center and a transportation hub. The goal is to provide convenient charging access for 1,650 multifamily housing units within a 10-minute walk.

City of Crete – Pedestrian Bridge ($288,000)
The Crete Pedestrian Bridge project, funded by the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program, will build an ADA-compliant bridge to safely connect neighborhoods divided by railroads, highways and waterways. It will improve access to jobs, essential services and city amenities, reduce dangerous pedestrian-vehicle interactions, and link to the city’s trail network to support community growth and walkability. 

Omaha-Council Bluffs Area – North Freeway Community Planning ($1,516,000) The North Freeway project, funded by the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program, will reconnect and revitalize neighborhoods through community-driven plans for caps, bridges and Complete Streets near the freeway. It aims to improve access, reduce costs and foster sustainability while supporting thriving, connected communities. 

“These projects highlight the transformative power of infrastructure investments to connect communities, enhance safety and improve quality of life. By addressing critical needs such as accessibility, sustainability and economic opportunity, these initiatives help our neighborhoods thrive,” said NDOT Director Vicki Kramer.

The Nebraska Infrastructure Hub looks forward to securing more of this critical funding for Nebraska through providing support to state and local partners to, more confidently, navigate the challenges of the application and administration processes.