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The Texas Transportation Commission in the US has approved $1.74bn to the state highway fund for the construction of 201 road projects.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is set to begin awarding projects to contractors from March, while construction will kick off after that.

Commission chairman Ted Houghton said: "Citizens sent a clear message in November and TxDOT is carrying out its responsibility quickly, effectively and with a great deal of local input.

"Between Proposition 1’s $1.74bn and other funding sources, we are able to allocate $2bn to projects that will help address roadway congestion, safety and the growing demands on our infrastructure."

"Safety is our top priority and the money we are putting toward enhancing safety in the energy sector is proof of this."

The projects will see more than 800 miles of highways rehabilitated, nearly 500 miles of new highway lanes, 64 bridge replacements and 18 lane-widening improvements that will add 159 miles of passing lanes to rural highways.

Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and TxDOT districts have teamed up to formulate the list of projects.

Various funds have been dedicated for maintenance to repair or rehabilitate highways, along with Proposition 1 funds allocated for energy sector needs.

Texas Transportation commissioner Fred Underwood said: "Safety is our top priority and the money we are putting toward enhancing safety in the energy sector is proof of this."

According to the commission, there were 248 fatalities and more than 23,000 crashes on the highway segments where Proposition 1 projects are located, over the past five years.

The work planned in these areas is expected to help reduce the number of crashes.

Image: $1.74bn fund approved for road projects in Texas. Photo: courtesy of kancp26 via freedigitalphotos.