AUSTIN (October 29, 2009)—The Texas Transportation Commission Thursday approved seven projects around the state worth an estimated $193 million including improvements to U.S. Highway 190 in Bell County that will be funded through the Texas Department of Transportation’s pass-through finance program.

The commission approved $20.1 million for work on Highway 190.

Pass-through financing means that local governments or private contractors pay the cost of building the project and then the state reimburses them once the project becomes operational, TxDOT said.

It’s a tool that allows the state to stretch limited transportation funds by having local communities fund the up-front cost of projects, for which the state provides reimbursement over time by paying a fee for each vehicle that uses the completed roadway.

Last month, the commission approved a $19.2 million U.S. Highway 190-FM 2410 improvement project from east of FM 3470 to west of FM 2410 in Killeen, as one of 10 projects to be funded through the program.