Nebraska(NE)

Nebraska is adopting a "Smart Infrastructure" approach to Advanced Air Mobility, focusing on the preservation and modernization of its vast rural and metropolitan transportation networks. As of January 2026, the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) is leveraging new legislative tools to prepare the state for the next generation of aviation, emphasizing federal funding acquisition and digital project delivery.

Infrastructure and Regulatory Framework

Nebraska’s strategic foundation was significantly bolstered by Legislative Bill 558 (2025), which created the Infrastructure Review Task Force.

• Federal Funding Research: The task force is explicitly mandated to research available federal funding—including AAM Infrastructure Pilot Program grants—to make recommendations on how Nebraska can secure the resources needed for vertiport development.
• Modernizing Business Practices: NDOT is transitioning to digital project delivery, a move intended to expedite the infrastructure timelines for regional airports that will serve as early AAM nodes.
• Smart Financing: In early 2025, the state approved its first bond issuance for major corridor completion, signaling a shift toward more aggressive infrastructure investment that can accommodate emerging mobility technologies.

Pilot Programs and Manufacturer Support

Nebraska is focusing on AAM as a tool for agricultural efficiency and regional connectivity.

• Metro Area Travel Improvement (MTIS): While primarily focused on ground congestion in the Omaha-Council Bluffs area, the MTIS framework is being evaluated for potential low-altitude flight corridors to provide relief to the state's largest economic hub.
• Workforce and Safety: NDOT remains dedicated to increasing safety for the traveling public by integrating automated monitoring systems into its 2026–2030 Five-Year Planning Program.

Strategic Initiatives and Resources

• NDOT Surface Transportation Program (FY 2026): dot.nebraska.gov/projects/program-book-2026
• Nebraska LB 558 (Task Force): nebraskalegislature.gov/LB558