US State of North Carolina has awarded 15 contracts worth a total of $29m for highway and bridge projects across the state.

Out of the total 15, seven projects are being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These include projects located in Anson, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Dare, Forsyth and Hyde counties.

The other eight projects are located in Brunswick, Cherokee, Cumberland, Iredell, McDowell, Pitt, Rowan and Rutherford counties.

Work is expected to start in late August this year.