ABJ Sep 7 - U.S. President Barack Obama has unveiled a $50 billion plan to expand and repair roads, railways and airports in an attempt to boost economic confidence, a measure to prevent a big blow to the Democratic Party at the upcoming congressional election.

The plan is one of several economic initiatives Obama is set to unveil this week.

Obama proposed building 240,000 kilometres of roads, constructing and maintaining 6,400 kilometres of rail and renovating 240 kilometres of runway. A senior administration official said the President's goal is to "create a substantial number of jobs in the short term and lay the foundation for jobs growth in the long run."

"This is not a stimulus, immediate-jobs plan," the official said.