ST. PAUL (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton is outlining a four-year plan to sink nearly $400 million into improvements for deteriorating state highways.

Dayton and Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel announced the "Better Roads for a Better Minnesota" program today.

Dayton says existing state and federal funds and already authorized bonds will pay for the new program. Minnesota Department of Transportation spokesman Kevin Gutknecht says legislative approval is needed for $141 million.

The Democratic governor says the plan will result in almost 10,000 direct and indirect jobs while improving more than 700 highway miles.

Repairs include repaving and drainage, signal and lighting improvements to selected stretches of roads including Interstate 35 and Highways 55, 62, 71 and 169.

Dayton and Sorel say the spending will add to MnDOT's $980 million pavement improvement plan through 2014.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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