NDOT director highlights bond rating, NEPA assignment progress and federal funding uncertainty

Director Vicky Kramer told the Nebraska State Highway Commission on Jan. 16 that the department had received a reaffirmation from S&P of its bond rating and is preparing to use innovative financing tools while federal budget uncertainty creates near-term delays. "S and P has reaffirmed our...rating," Kramer said, calling it "good news for the department" and crediting staff work on the bonding program.

Kramer reviewed personnel changes at NDOT: Marcy Keane has been named commission secretary and Nicole Bogan is filling the chief counsel role as Jeff Schroeder transitions to retirement. The department plans to advertise for a deputy director of operations "in the next week or so," Kramer said.

Why it matters: a reaffirmed bond rating can lower borrowing costs for projects; NDOT said it will outline a February timeline for a bond issuance with the governor. Kramer also warned that a federal continuing resolution (CR) that ends Jan. 30 has put some FHWA-funded work on hold, slowing grant announcements and construction-season planning. "We do continue to work with our Federal Highway Administration," he said, but added that the CR means NDOT may need to manage funds more conservatively until federal decisions are finalized.

Kramer and staff also said NDOT expects to sign an MOU that would formally expand the department's NEPA assignment to allow NDOT to handle environmental assessments and environmental impact statements in-house for larger projects. Kramer described the change as building on earlier work that improved NDOT's environmental program and said the agency expects additional detail "more to follow" on timing and the MOU.

The director previewed NDOT's infrastructure hub and grant application work, noting competitive bridge-bundle applications and other proposals submitted for federal programs. He singled out two bills the department expects to focus on this legislative session: LB594 (hands-free distracted-driving legislation) and LB600 (enforcement-related measures), saying the governor has publicly supported hands-free proposals.

Kramer closed by noting ongoing changes in the highway-safety office and an increased emphasis on grant accountability to ensure law-enforcement grantees meet grant terms.

The commission took no immediate formal action on these items; Kramer said staff will return with further updates and a timeline for any bond issuance.