LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska counties with dilapidated bridges are one step closer to having a new funding source to cover some of the repair costs.

State officials outlined the selection criteria for their new match program on Tuesday and announced they will start seeking proposals in October. Gov. Pete Ricketts identified the program as one of his top priorities during this year’s legislative session.

Department of Roads Director Kyle Schneweis says roughly 40 percent of Nebraska’s 11,000 county bridges are at least 50 years old. Schneweis says state and county officials collaborated to create a program that meets both of their needs.

The match program will cover 55 percent of a project’s repair costs, up to $150,000 per bridge. The law passed this year provides up to $40 million through 2023.