ATLANTA (AP) — Nearly $9 million has been collected in taxes from three regions that voted to approve a 10-year, one percent transportation sales tax last year.

Georgia Department of Transportation Spokeswoman Karlene Barron said Thursday that more than $8.7 million was collected from the Central Savannah River, River Valley and Heart of Georgia-Altamaha regional commission districts. The regions span 46 of the state's 159 counties.

Barron says 75 percent of the money will be used for construction and 25 percent will be given to local governments for discretionary, transportation-related projects. Barron says the money will be administered by the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission and GDOT will help with engineering and construction.

Nine of 12 districts rejected the tax that was backed by Gov. Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.