NUCA of Nebraska Hosts Jobsite Tour in Omaha
Approximately 30 people participated in the NUCA of Nebraska jobsite tour of the Omaha Streetcar Authority (OSA): Package 5A I-480 Bridges, between Park Ave to 29th St. on Harney Street, in Omaha, Nebraska on Aug. 1. The project includes installation of a bridge, electrical, new water line, sanitary, and stormwater infrastructure.
NUCA of Nebraska thanks its members for the incredible work they are doing on this project and for hosting the tour: Sadler Electric Inc., Hawkins Construction Company, TJ Cable & Underground, Badger Daylighting, Contractor Solutions Trench Shoring, and United Rentals Trench Safety. NUCA of Nebraska also thanks Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon’s staff, State Sens. Victor Rountree (Legislative District 3 Bellevue), Merv Riepe (LD12 Ralston), Ashlei Spivey (LD13 Omaha), John Fredrickson (LD20 Omaha), Kathleen Kauth (LD31 Omaha) and Rick Holdcroft (LD36 Bellevue), and State Sen. Margo Juarez’s staff (LD5 Omaha) for participating.
Some of the benefits of this part of the project include: affordable housing that will be provided along the streetcar path, transportation services and economic development and job growth for the Omaha area. NUCA of Nebraska met with Congressman Bacon’s staff in July, and requested that he would help stop any efforts to implement Project Labor Agreements (PLAs). There was a request to bring a PLA amendment to the House Armed Forces Committee. The result is that Congressman Bacon was instrumental in opposing the proposal. It did not advance.
Lawmakers were also educated about NUCA of Nebraska’s priority issues, including:
- Advocating for reauthorization of infrastructure funding by Congress in 2026 including the State Revolving Funds.
- Monitoring the Nebraska Underground Excavation Safety Committee’s work to enforce our state’s One-Call Notification System.
- Work with Six Regions, One Nebraska Southeast Region to support a federal grant request for infrastructure inventory. This would allow for regional resources and collaboration to support water treatment plant and other essential infrastructure to support economic development, affordable housing and childcare needs in Southeast Nebraska.
- Identifying other underground infrastructure needs and opportunities in Nebraska.
- Implementation of the Workforce Pell Grant Program to expand Pell Grant eligibility to short-term training programs.
NUCA of Nebraska also discussed its workforce development initiatives and connecting members to pathways that promote the construction industry and fill positions. Lawmakers received complimentary tickets to the upcoming Dozer Day event. Tags: NUCA of Nebraska
