AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ Federal stimulus money is rolling toward Texas highways.
This week state transportation commissioners are set to approve major road projects to be paid for with $1.2 billion from the funds.
Commissioners are gathering at a special meeting Thursday to approve stimulus money projects throughout the state.
Texas is getting $2.25 billion in transportation stimulus package money.
Transportation officials say the state’s needs are far greater than the $2.25 billion. Recently, a prominent citizens’ committee outlined what it saw as $313 billion in road and bridge work necessary for Texas before 2030.
Republican Gov. Rick Perry is a critic of federal stimulus spending, but he also champions road building to deal with the state’s growth and traffic congestion.
His appointed transportation commissioners will now have the chance to spring into action and use the federal money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.