Fitch Ratings said it expects the state of Hawai'i to sell $120 million of highway revenue bonds the week of Dec. 9. Its assigned a AA- rating to the issue.

The money raised through the sale will go to state highway capital improvement projects and the bonds will be repaid from the state highway fund, which receives revenue from the state's fuel tax of 17 cents a gallon on gasoline and diesel oil, and rental car surcharge taxes.

The state has looked at increasing public works projects to help combat an economic downturn. It also is about to sell more than $600 million of general obligation bonds in December, having been delayed since late September because of turbulence in financial markets.