LINCOLN — The Nebraska Department of Transportation, Governor Pete Ricketts and other dignitaries gathered Thursday afternoon to celebrate progress on the construction of the Lincoln South Beltway.

"It's really, really exciting that we are making progress on this Lincoln South Beltway. Because, this represents how Lincoln will continue to grow and be a great place for families to live, work and enjoy the good life here in our state."

Ohers on hand for a ceremony at U.S. Highway 77 and Saltillo Road were U.S. Senator Deb Fischer, Nebraska House member Jeff Fortenberry, Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and Lincoln State Senator Mike Hilgers.

Chris Hawkins, Chief Operating Officer of Hawkins Construction says the massive project is employing a lot of people.

"Hawkins is honored and thrilled to be here on the state's largest ever single construction road project. We also have fourteen local businesses...subcontractors...nine of whom have contracts with a value of two million dollars or more. For most of them, that will also be their largest project ever undertaken. While this project has significant long-term value, it also has immediate economic impact with at least a hundred people currently working, and plenty more to come."

Work is well underway on the $352 million project to connect US Highway 77 and Nebraska Highway 2. The NDOT has been working towards the South Beltway for decades and it got a boost following passage of the Build Nebraska Act and the Transportation Innovation Act.

The department partnered with the City of Lincoln, Lancaster County and the US Department of Transportation to secure funding and prioritize the project. In spring of 2018, additional funds were available with the awarding of a $25 million TIGER grant to NDOT.

The Lincoln South Beltway is the largest and one of the most complex projects ever undertaken in Nebraska. Construction of the 11-mile, east-west four-lane freeway is expected to reduce congestion on Nebraska Highway 2 through Lincoln and improve regional mobility.

Preliminary work began in February, with construction starting in May. The project is expected to be completed in spring of 2024, about four years ahead of the original schedule.