Lincoln leaders stress importance of sales tax to sustain street improvement progress [Video]

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, with city and business leaders, gathered Thursday morning to highlight the past year of road improvements through their Lincoln on the Move street improvement program.

Officials reported that the 2023-24 fiscal year saw $19.3 million in improvements across eight projects. Progress is evident in areas such as 84th Street, Cotner Boulevard, and Yankee Hill Road.

While there’s a lot to celebrate, they say this progress can’t go on without renewing their quarter-cent sales tax, which expires in September of 2025.

Lincoln’s Transportation and Utility Director, Liz Elliot, said, “Without continued funding, prepare for an immediate slowdown on all street improvement progress. Expect even less movement in our ability to construct new streets.”

No date has been set for a vote on renewing the tax, but officials mentioned the possibility of increasing it.

Since the program’s launch in 2019, the city has invested $79.5 million, improving 163 lane miles of …