$60 million OK'd for Highway 83 'Super 2'

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Sixty million dollars to upgrade U.S. Highway 83 to "Super 2" standards is included in $300 million in new transportation projects announced by Gov. Pete Ricketts and the Nebraska Department of Roads.

The project, between McCook and North Platte, included in projects funded by the build Nebraska Act and Transportation Innovation Act.

"This announcement follows a historic commitment from the State of Nebraska to build the 21st-century infrastructure we need to grow our state," said Gov. Ricketts.

"Thanks to Sen. Fischer's Build Nebraska Act and the Transportation Innovation Act, which my administration collaborated on with the Legislature, we are working toward fulfilling Gov. Orr's vision for expanding our state's expressway system."

"After years of planning and sustained efforts, our McCook team was successful in securing a substantial portion of the statewide total investment to improve access on Highway 83," said Kirk Dixon, executive director of the McCook Economic Development Corp.

"It is appropriate to celebrate because their collective team efforts have finally paid off."

A Super 2 highway is where a periodic passing lane is added to a two-lane rural highway to allow passing of slower vehicles and the dispersal of traffic.

The passing lane alternates from one direction of travel to the other within a section of roadway to allow passing opportunities in both directions.