The need is clear for the South Beltway and has been clear for a number of years, Christensen said. It will allow growth in the southern part of the city and increase the city’s tax base, he said.

It will also divert heavy truck traffic off Nebraska 2, reducing the number of crashes and allowing the city and state to get a longer life out of Nebraska 2, he said.

This deal represents the benefits when city, county and state officials work together for a common goal, Wiltgen said.

There is no way to quantify the economic benefits, including good jobs during construction, greater access for truck traffic to markets along Interstate 29 and future savings for commuters who use Nebraska 2, he said.

“This agreement is a great example of how government ought to work,” Beutler said. “Four different levels of government came together and dealt a winning hand for the city and the state."

Beutler called the South Beltway the third mountain elected leaders are climbing, after the Antelope Valley project and the Pinnacle Bank Arena and West Haymarket project.

Here are the details for the local funding: