The Transportation and Telecommunications Committee heard testimony Feb. 6 on a bill that would expand considerations by the state Department of Roads when prioritizing state highway projects.<\/p>\n
Under LB1112, introduced by Norfolk Sen. Mike Flood, the department could consider whether local matching funds were available from a county or municipality or from joint entities consisting of counties and municipalities when prioritizing projects for state highways.<\/p>\n
Flood said the bill would provide encouragement for communities that are willing to invest their own resources in a local highway project. It would not guarantee that communities able to match funds would take priority, Flood said, but the department should be allowed to take that into consideration.<\/p>\n
West Point Mayor Marlene Johnson testified in support of the bill. It is not meant to favor certain highway projects, Johnson said, but would help speed up the process.<\/p>\n
Dennis Houston, president of the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce, also testified in support of the bill, saying it would allow communities to take ownership of their local highway projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we are looking at here is an opportunity to raise our hand and say that we are willing to help take care of ourselves,\u201d Houston said.<\/p>\n
No opposing testimony was given and the committee took no immediate action on the bill.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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