BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A state Transportation Department official says low oil prices are making road construction dollars stretch further.

State DOT spokeswoman Jane Berger says petroleum-based asphalt prices are down as much as 20 percent than estimated.

Officials say that's good news for asphalt-dependent projects that are tied to a so-called surge funding bill that has fast-tracking $1.1 billion for North Dakota highways and communities that have grown quickly.

Officials say bidding competition and plentiful contractors also have contributed to lower-than-estimated project costs.

Williston Mayor Howard Klug says the surge funding amounts to about $62 million for his city and that many of the bids coming in are running 30 percent below earlier estimates.

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