The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission in the US has approved a five-year highway construction programme.

The programme is facing a funding challenge as its grants have been reduced to around $500m per year, which is expected to affect corridor improvement works and major bridge replacements.

To cope with the funding challenge, the plan intends to carry out repairs and maintenance of the most important bridges, roads and other state highways.

The Missouri department of transportation also intends to save $200m through the adoption of a few cost saving strategies.

Funds secured through the measures are expected to be diverted for the maintenance of roads and bridges.

The state is expected to spend $4.07bn on highway and bridge projects under the 2011-2015 statewide transportation improvement programme.