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Features

French Total expands with new PMB plant
February 7, 2012
A new PMB plant has opened in Dubai as part of the French Total Group's plans to expand in the Middle East. As part of the Total Group's plans for expansion in Middle East countries, a decision was taken in 2008 to include specific facilities dedicated to supply raw bitumen and to manufacture polymer modified bitumen (PMB).
GPS machine control paves the way for Turkish canal
February 7, 2012
GPS machine control for earthworks and concrete paving is helping to fast track construction of an irrigation canal in Turkey - Claire Symes reports. The Turkish economy is expected to flourish as a result of construction of a new irrigation channel currently underway in the east of the country. This canal is benefiting from the latest concrete paving and earthmoving technology and will bring with it prosperity to a deprived area of the country. But the project is already taking the lead in terms of Turkish
Colorado river bridge relieves congestion
February 7, 2012
Built in the shadow of the Hoover Dam, a new bridge is set to takes its place as another major tourist attraction. Patrick Smith reports
New Zealand's bridges survive earthquake
February 7, 2012
How is it that New Zealand's recent large and destructive earthquake did so little damage to the bridges in the quake zone? Mary Searle investigates. The magnitude 7.1 earthquake that hit the Canterbury region in New Zealand at 4.35am on Saturday, 4 September was similar in size to the quake that shook Haiti in January. However, the damage in Canterbury was minimal in comparison. A key contributor to this was New Zealand's preparedness for such an event. Positioned on a major fault line, New Zealand has ear
Developments in concrete road construction
February 7, 2012
Innovative developments are pushing forward concrete road construction techniques. The concrete road sector looks to benefit from some key innovations and developments now coming to market or being employed in different territories. Irregular weather and environmental conditions can alter the rate at which concrete cures, with a risk of plastic shrinkage cracks that can compromise the integrity of a pavement. Contractors cannot control the environmental conditions of a paving project and when weather patter
Wheeled loaders tackle costs, reduce emissions
February 7, 2012
Volvo CE says that lowering fuel consumption will tackle fleet costs and deliver environmental benefits for its customers, Mike Woof reports. Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is targeting fuel economy and performance with its latest generation of machines. The new L180F and L220F wheeled loader models are being fitted with the sophisticated OptiShift package, which will boost operation and driveline efficiencies and cut fuel consumption by 15%, and more in some instances.
Road transport must evolve in line with users’ needs
February 7, 2012
At its annual plenary meeting held on 25 May 2010, during the 16th IRF World Meeting in Lisbon, the European Road Federation (ERF) elected a new President in the person of Jacobo Díaz Pineda.
Cost effective road maintenance
February 7, 2012
Highway maintenance and repair is an easy target for cuts in highway budgets, but there are cost-effective measures that can be adopted as Patrick Smith reports
Tackling road safety in India
February 7, 2012
Introducing an Indian business leader committed to combating the 'perfect plague' of deaths on the country's roads