Governor Jim Pillen give remarks in Rogers Friday with the Highway 30 expressway behind him. Also speaking, from left, were NDOT director Vicki Kramer, state senator Mike Moser, Fremont mayor Joey Spellerberg and Tim McCoy from the Nebraska Game and Parks Department.

Expressway opening celebrated

by Nathan Arneal
Published 6/6/06

A project that has been discussed, debated and delayed since 1988 is now done.

The final barriers on the Highway 30 expressway between North Bend and Fremont were removed last week, and the 70 mph speed limit signs were posted last Tuesday.

Several dignitaries, including Governor Jim Pillen, met Friday for a ceremony marking the end of construction for the Columbus-to-Fremont expressway.

Fittingly, the ceremony was held on a stretch of the old two-lane Highway 30 that remains alongside the new four-lane version just outside of Rogers.

“Most of you here are unfortunately old enough to remember when the start of this expressway started,” Pillen said to about 50 gathered people. “It’s been a labor of love by a lot, a lot of people. So let’s stay positive and say that’s really good. Persistence and perseverance makes a lot of things happen.”

Also speaking were state senator Mike Moser of Columbus, Fremont mayor Joey Spellerberg, Tim McCoy of Nebraska Game and Parks and Nebraska Department of Transportation director Vicki Kramer.

“It’s incredibly important,” Pillen said, “to continue to make sure we make investments so we can keep the wheels on the trucks going round-and-round between our communities because it’s so incredibly important and vital for our economy.”

Pillen also gave credit to North Bend mayor Rod Scott, who was in the crowd along with councilman Bart Bosco, for the good weather Friday.
Having family in Schuyler, Spellerberg said he was very familiar with the stretch of Highway 30 west of Fremont.

“When you look at the safety of the roadway, that’s obliviously critical,” he said, “but also for economic development and commerce, to be able to have four lanes like we have will have truly tremendous impact for Dodge County and our region in general.

“Looking to the future, we believe that for Fremont and Dodge County and this area to Columbus, the more we can connect our communities, the more successful we’ll be.”

Kramer, the NDOT director, said the project was significant and worth celebrating for many reasons.

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