Aeronautics, Roads departments to merge

Lawmakers passed a bill April 24 that creates a unified state transportation department.

Under LB339, introduced by Henderson Sen. Curt Friesen, the state Department of Aeronautics will merge with the state Department of Roads, effective July 1. The combined agencies will be renamed the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

The newly formed department will be administered by the director-state engineer for the state Department of Transportation. This position will be filled by the current director-state engineer for the state Department of Roads.

Any person hired to serve as the director of the aeronautics division within the department will require legislative confirmation.

The bill passed on a 47-0 vote.