The North Texas Tollway Authority in the US has given a green light for the $416m State Highway 161 Tollway project in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth region.

Work involves improvements on two toll lanes in each direction, extending about 6.5 miles from north of Interstate Highway 30 to Interstate Highway 20.

Improvements to major multi-level interchanges on both interstates are also included in the work, which is expected to finish in late 2012.

The work will be carried out by Prairie Link Constructors, a joint venture company led by Fluor, and including Balfour Beatty, AECOM, PSI and Hicks and Company.