Ohio Governor John Kasich has unveiled a new plan to invest $3bn in infrastructure over the coming years to improve the US state’s transportation system.

The latest jobs and transportation plan will allow the state to eliminate long delays on 41 new construction projects that are scheduled to commence construction in 2014. Delays on a project from Columbus to Appalachia will also be eliminated with the new plan.

Kasich said that the agriculture, manufacturing and logistics sectors depend on the highway system, and $3bn in new funds will help to keep them moving so the state’s economic recovery can improve.

"The latest jobs and transportation plan will allow the state to eliminate long delays on 41 new construction projects that are scheduled to commence construction in 2014."

"By thinking outside the box we’re attacking Ohio’s highway budget deficit without a tax increase and keeping Ohio’s highways in top condition," Kasich added.

The new plan proposes use of Ohio Turnpike funding to help build a variety of new projects in northern Ohio and to allow many other projects to progress earlier than expected.

Projects in central and southeast Ohio that are receiving approval from the Kasich include a $440m new highway bypassing the city of Portsmouth in Scioto County, the reconstruction of the interchange at I-270 and US Route 33 in Franklin County, and the construction of a new interchange on US 33 in Carroll.

The proposed highway construction projects will be approved by the state’s independent Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC).

The TRAC was established in 1997 to offer guidance to the state for reviewing and approving Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) largest construction projects.