The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) in the US has approved a $4bn eight-year construction plan to build and renovate bridges and highways across the state.

The plan, set for 2010-2017, allocates $1.9bn for the revamp of major highways and over $1bn for construction of bridges.

The plan includes renovation and replacement of about 563 bridges, which is an increase of more than 100 over last year’s plan, the department said.

In addition, 62 miles of median barriers and over 446 miles of shoulder will be built.

ODOT director Gary Ridley said that the state funding changes approved by the state legislature in recent years and the money from the federal economic stimulus have allowed engineers to plan the project.