$6 million awarded to improve Chadron North on US-385

A stretch of highway near Chadron is set for upgrades after the Nebraska Department of Transportation received $6 million in Congressional Directed Spending.

February 10, 2026Updated: February 10, 2026
By Casey Wonnenberg

CHADRON, Neb. — A stretch of highway near Chadron is set for upgrades after the Nebraska Department of Transportation received $6 million in Congressional Directed Spending.

The funding will go toward improving 17 miles of U.S. 385. Plans call for converting the roadway to a Super-2 design, which includes periodic passing lanes, wider shoulders and other safety improvements.

“The addition of passing lanes will improve the connectivity and benefit regional commerce between Chadron and South Dakota, while also improving operations, safety, and reduce delays caused by truck volumes and rolling terrain,” a press release from NDOT reads.

The project also includes intersection reconstruction and bridge repairs.

The Chadron-area work is part of $15 million in total funding awarded to NDOT. The other two projects receiving funding are the 38th Street Viaduct in Omaha and improvements to US-136 in Fairbury.

“Each of these projects addresses real needs across Nebraska, from aging bridges to highway improvements” NDOT Director Vicki Kramer said. 

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