The US city of San Antonio will receive more than $800m funding for the expansion of I-10, US 281 and Loop 1604 in a move to lower traffic congestion in the region.

The funding was announced by the Texas Department of Transportation, the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority, VIA Metropolitan Transit, city of San Antonio and Bexar County leaders.

It is estimated that drivers in San Antonio spend about 40 million hours every year in traffic on some regional roadways.

"The collaborative infrastructure projects we’re announcing today will help relieve congestion."

Texas Transportation Commission chairman Ted Houghton said: "As the seventh largest city in the United States, San Antonio continues to grow at a pace that is expected to see its population number more than 3 million people by 2040.

"The collaborative infrastructure projects we’re announcing today will help relieve congestion and keep San Antonio drivers and the region’s economy moving in a way that improves business, enhances the quality of life and decreases the number of hours lost sitting in traffic."

The latest funds will be invested in a range of non-tolled and tolled (managed) lanes, connectors and improvements to existing lanes.

Projects on I-10 involve the construction of two managed lanes in each direction north of Loop 1604 and tolled connector ramps at the interchange at Loop 1604.

Works on US 281 include expansion from Loop 1604 north to Stone Oak Boulevard to a four-lane, non-tolled expressway with two tolled managed lanes and non-tolled connector ramps at the Loop 1604 interchange.

The project also includes expansion from Stone Oak Boulevard as far as the Bexar and Comal county line into a four-lane tolled expressway with frontage roads.

Works on Loop 1604 involve expansion to a four-lane, non-tolled expressway from SH 151 to US 90. Construction is expected to begin by early 2015.