Gage County secures $22M in federal funds for bridge and road repairs in Clatonia
CLATONIA, Neb. (KLKN) – Hundreds of support letters were submitted across three different applications to request federal funding for infrastructure improvements in Clatonia.
The first two applications were denied but according to its grant writer, Gage County Supervisor Emily Haxby, the key to success is to try, try and try again.
Haxby’s third application for the BUILD Grant was approved as of July 7.
The grant will provide $22,669,897 for the Clatonia-DeWitt and Hickory Road Transportation and Safety project.
The project will include three bridge replacements and approximately 8 miles of pavement reconstruction.
Residents in the area are grateful, like John Niemeyer; a fourth-generation farmer in Gage County.
He spoke with Channel 8 on Tuesday about why the aging bridges between DeWitt and Clatonia have created ongoing problems for the community.
“We have a hard time going down that road right now with other equipment like combines, and even tractors can be overweight,” said Niemeyer.
“We simply do not have a real safe way to travel. So, it’s in dire need of replacement.”
He avoids the Clatonia-DeWitt bridge due to its weight restrictions but says it’s a costly detour.
“We’re forced to go out here to Highway 77 and to go that direction. It’s about a 15-mile detour just to deliver the same product,” said Niemeyer.
The extra miles cost additional fuel, wear and tear on his tires and overall, more time and labor.
“You know, it all adds up,” he said.
With the approval of the BUILD Grant, the Clatonia-DeWitt bridge will be widened from 11ft to 12 ft, and the size of its shoulders will nearly double.
The project will also update the asphalt road to concrete.
“It’s going to provide a lot of benefits. We’re excited,” said Niemeyer, who thanked grant writer Haxby for her work on it.
“She spent a lot of hours, a lot of time, made a lot of phone calls and efforts, held public meetings and really, really put her best foot forward and she did a great job,” he said.
“We’re lucky to have Emily around fighting for Gage County.”
After her first two applications failed, Haxby won the prestigious grant thanks to the countless letters of support she collected from local, state and federal leaders.
“We have somebody in Gage County and Clatonia that is willing to reach out and talk to our state and federal representatives, and you know, get the work done,” said Niemeyer.
Construction would begin as soon as 2027 and the U.S. Department of Transportation says the funds must be released before September of 2030.
In addition to the Clatonia-DeWitt bridge, work will also be done on the Hickory Road bridge.
