Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts recently signed legislation creating the state’s first transportation department by combining the Department of Aeronautics and the Department of Roads.
The merger is intended to create economic development and increase road safety.
“This legislation will create efficiencies, which will allow us to put more money into runways and roads without sacrificing jobs,” Ricketts said.
The Department of Aeronautics will become a division of the Department of Roads and will keep its current director, Ronnie Mitchell, while Department of Roads Director Kyle Schneweis will lead Nebraska Department of Transportation.
The legislation, LB339, was introduced by state Sen. Curt Friesen (R-Henderson).
Meanwhile, Ricketts signed a second piece of legislation intended to improve Nebraskan roads.
LB271 authorizes the Department of Transportation to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of Transportation in order to assume its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Doing so will allow road projects in the state to begin more quickly.
“With this measure in place, our new Department of Transportation will have another tool to help accelerate infrastructure construction in Nebraska,” Ricketts said.
LB271 was introduced by Sen. Mike Hilgers (R-Lincoln) and prioritized by Sen. Suzanne Geist (R-Lincoln).