BEIJING - China's top economic planner has approved two transport projects that will cost a combined 29.2 billion yuan ($4.5 billion).

Around 157 km of highway in north China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region will cost 6.6 billion yuan, according the National Development and Reform Commission website.

The agency has also given permission for 172 km of road linking the city of Pingliang with the city of Tianshui in northwest China's Gansu Province at a cost of 22.6 billion yuan.