Gov. Dave Heineman announced Wednesday the state will seek competitive federal economic stimulus funding for five major highway projects.

Four of the projects are in eastern Nebraska, including expansion of I-80 from four lanes to six lanes between the 56th Street interchange at Lincoln and the Waverly interchange.

Funding in the competitive stimulus package is available only for projects that can be completed by early 2012.

Heineman said the proposed Heartland Expressway in the Panhandle can't meet the deadline requirements, including a 2011 date for obligation of funds.

But, the governor said, he is determined to "find a way to move this project ahead."

At a news conference announcing his funding requests, Heineman criticized the Federal Highway Administration for demonstrating "more interest in stimulating paperwork than jobs" with regulations that have delayed stimulus work on local road projects.

"I'm very disappointed," the governor said.

Heineman said he expressed his concern directly to Vice President Joe Biden during a recent conference call.

City and county stimulus road projects have been delayed until next year because of adjustments to changing federal regulations and requirements.

Heineman said he believes the Federal Highway Administration has treated Nebraska unfairly. But, he acknowledged, some federal criticism was legitimate and "we know we have to improve."

In Washington, FHA spokesperson Nancy Singer said the agency "will continue to work with (Nebraska) to ensure that state's economic recovery and the delivery of road and bridge projects is as swift as possible."

Heineman's list of requests for competitive stimulus funding:

* Expanding U.S. 75 from a two-lane to four-lane highway from Plattsmouth to Bellevue, construction of four lanes of U.S. 34 to I-29 in Iowa, construction of a new Bellevue bridge over the Missouri River.

* Resurfacing I-80 from Roscoe to Paxton in Keith County.

* Expanding Nebraska 133 from two lanes to four lanes for five miles in Douglas and Washington counties north from the Nebraska 36 junction toward Blair.

* Expanding Nebraska 370 from two lanes to four lanes between Gretna and I-80 in Sarpy County.

* Expanding I-80 to six lanes between the 56th Street interchange and the Waverly interchange in Lancaster County.

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.