Mo. to spend $5.8B on transportation

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The state transportation commission approved Wednesday an updated five-year spending plan totaling about $5.8 billion.

The plan includes almost $4.4 billion for 730 highway and bridge projects. That's $300 million more than originally anticipated. Transportation officials say they were able to add projects because of improved financing conditions for their bonds.

Also included in the plan is $810 million for other modes of transportation besides roads, and $640 million for local transportation programs.

The state Highways and Transportation Commission updates its five-year spending plan each year. The current plan runs from the 2009 fiscal year -- which began Tuesday -- through 2013.