LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Efforts to repair Nebraska’s crumbling county bridges and complete the state’s unfinished expressway system will get a funding boost from a new law backed by Gov. Pete Ricketts.

Ricketts signed a measure Monday to create a $450 million dollar state fund for highway construction projects.

The bill by Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion would create what’s known as an infrastructure bank to finance the work through 2033, drawing $50 million from the state’s cash reserve and using additional revenue from a gas tax increase approved last year.

Ricketts says safe and efficient infrastructure is essential to growing tourism, agriculture and manufacturing.

The League of Nebraska Municipalities, Nebraska Association of County Officials and Nebraska business and community leaders have all praised the measure as vital for economic development.