OMAHA, Neb., June 15, 2026 — The Nebraska Department of Transportation announced that bids were opened June 11 for the Blackstone Streetscape Improvement Project in Omaha. Funded by a $2 million congressional earmark secured in 2023, the project will now go through bid review before the contract is awarded.
The project aims to boost safety and mobility in Omaha’s Blackstone District by reducing traffic lanes from three to two, expanding sidewalks, enhancing pedestrian crossings, improving lighting, and adding protected parking along the south side of Harney Street. Construction is expected to start and finish in 2027.
The funding was awarded to the Blackstone Business Improvement District, with project management handled by the City of Omaha. This marks one of four Nebraska transportation projects to receive congressional earmark funding in 2023, secured by U.S. Representative Don Bacon.
Since 2022, Nebraska transportation projects have received roughly $214.5 million in congressional earmark funding to support infrastructure improvements across the state. NDOT Director Vicki Kramer praised local leaders for advancing transportation investments that improve safety and economic opportunity for Nebraskans.
Other federally funded projects also continue to advance in Nebraska. The City of Omaha’s 24th Streetscape Improvement Project, funded with a $2 million 2023 earmark, is slated for a tentative bid letting in fall 2026. This project seeks to improve safety and aesthetics from Ohio to Sahler Street. Project Access York, supported by a 2022 $15.7 million BUILD grant, also aims for a fall 2026 letting and will include pedestrian safety improvements such as a pedestrian overpass and bike trails.
NDOT’s Infrastructure Hub continues to help local agencies secure competitive federal funding. As of June 2026, the IHUB has allocated more than $916,000 in support services to 60 local agencies across 59 counties to assist in obtaining discretionary funding.
This content is sourced from
Nebraska Department of Transportation
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