The City of Gretna was notified by Congressmen Don Bacon that his request for funding to help pave a vital corridor in Gretna’s fast-growing community has been approved, with the passing of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024. The Schram Road & 204th Street improvement project will receive $5 million of federal funding to a significant arterial road that is currently constructed of failing pavement and gravel, while providing stabilization to Wehrspann Creek which drains into Wehrspann Lake.
“This project positively effects so many people in our community.” said Mayor Mike Evans. “By improving this important stretch of transportation, we address public safety, environmental concerns, emergency services access and quality of life.” Evans noted.
Schram Road is emerging as a primary connector as it provides access to a recently opened community park and a coming soon 17-acre NRD lake on the west, a new Elementary school and one of Nebraska’s top tourist attractions, Vala’s Pumpkin Patch to the east. In a letter of support, Superintendent of Gretna Public Schools Travis Lightle wrote “This project encompasses over 35% of our daily bus routes, which transports between 1,400 to 1,750 students per day.”
While the city and private developers had allocated about 30% of the funding to initiate the project, the federal appropriations will allow the city to complete the project. In 2023, about 68% of the City of Gretna’s budget was used for Capital Outlay, such as roads, sewer, and water. “We work very hard to be fiscally responsible, while addressing the demands the area’s growth requires. Congressman Bacon has worked very hard for our community, Evans said. Because of his support for this project, we can continue to build a safe, connected, and vibrant community, without requiring additional taxes from our citizens.”
Initial engineering has begun on the project and as design and construction plans are completed, they will be released.