Hutchinson ? Gov. Sam Brownback has approved three major highway projects.

The projects Brownback announced Friday include an estimated $115 million in improvements to U.S. 69 and Interstate 435 interchanges in Overland Park, completion of the four-lane extension of Kansas 18 from Ogden to Manhattan, estimated at $98 million, and the improvement of U.S. 50 in Reno County, estimated at $46 million.

The Hutchinson News reports that the three are the first major projects under the 10-year T-WORKS transportation program the Kansas Legislature approved last May.

Officials expect to announce other projects by summer.