To President’s Desk: $60 Million Secured by Fischer to Improve Nebraska’s Infrastructure, Firefighting Capabilities

Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced she secured over $60 million in funding to support critical infrastructure projects and firefighting capabilities across Nebraska.

The funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Act - passed by Congress - which now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law.

"Making investments in our communities to upgrade our infrastructure is one of my core missions as the U.S. Senator for Nebraska," Fischer said. "And as a member of the Appropriations Committee, I've worked closely with our communities to make sure they get the resources they need. I'm proud to have secured $60 million in this package - on its way to the President's desk - that will strengthen emergency services, enhance our airports, and improve infrastructure across Nebraska."

PROVISIONS SECURED BY FISCHER:

Enhancing Nebraska's Airports:

• $6 million to the Alliance Airport for electrical improvements

• $5 million to extend the runway and parallel taxiway at the Blair Airport

• $4 million to improve the lighting system at the Hastings Airport

• $3.4 million to complete the parallel taxiway and improve the lighting system at the Nebraska City Airport

• $600,000 to relocate the Midfield Connector Taxiway at Brenner Field Airport in Falls City

Strengthening Emergency Services:

• $2.5 million to replace South Sioux City's aerial ladder fire truck

• $1.8 million to replace Plattsmouth's aerial ladder fire truck

• $1.3 million to upgrade Friend's fire hall facilities

• $1.3 million to upgrade Clatonia's fire hall facilities

Improving Statewide Infrastructure:

• $6 million to add safety enhancements to the Heartland Expressway

• $5.2 million to replace the Lisco Bridge in Garden County

• $4.7 million to pave a 4-mile stretch of Hickory Road in Gage County

• $4 million to road improvements for Fairbury Highway 136

• $3.5 million to improve walkability and safety of downtown Omaha

• $3.4 million to make improvements to roads in Sheridan and Garden County

• $3.2 million to make roadway improvements on Cedar River Road in Garfield County

• $2.2 million to reconstruct the 9th street roadway in Stromsburg

• $897,000 to replace or repair multiple bridges in Brown County

• $880,000 to pave the Adams Bypass

• $700,000 to pave the roadway and improve access to the local grain elevator in Exeter

Additional Provision:

• Language from Fischer's She DRIVES Act, directing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to adopt the most advanced crash test dummies.