WASHINGTON — The Obama administration will make nearly half a billion dollars in unspent highway funds available to states that promise to use the money to create jobs and improve transportation.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will announce today that more than $470 million will be made immediately available for projects.

The move is part of President Barack Obama’s election-year effort to sidestep Congress with programs which Obama says will create jobs. Obama has adopted the slogan “We Can’t Wait” to contrast his efforts with congressional Republicans.

The money initially was allocated to the Transportation Department for special projects known as earmarks from 2003 to 2006. The Republican-controlled House has since banned earmarks, which are provisions tucked into bills which direct taxpayer dollars to lawmakers’ pet projects. Obama has vowed to veto any bill that includes earmarks. But a White House official said money awarded by previous Congresses should be spent for transit systems.

Under the Transportation Department plan, states must identify how the funds will be used by Oct. 1.