The Minnesota Department of Transportation in the US said its 2010 roadwork schedule involves 283 statewide highway construction projects.

The projects, worth $1.3bn, include the renovation of Highway 169 to freeway status to lower the traffic congestion.

Extension of Highway 610 for $48m, resurfacing roads and bridge work on other major highways are also included, according to abcnewspapers.com.

Filling of potholes, sealing cracks in roads and inspecting bridges are some of the maintenance work expected to be carried out under the plan.