Tibet’s Autonomous Region will spend CNY1.5bn ($219m) on highway construction in the Xigaze region.

The work involves building a highway from Sagya county to Dinggye county in Tibet, according to chinatibet.people.com.cn.

Four construction projects for the Da Chuka-Xigaze section of 318 national road are also expected to begin in 2010.

The move is intended to improve traffic conditions in the region.