Finance & Funding

The UAE is investing US$3 billion in improving its road network and general transport infrastructure. New road sections are to be built, while existing roads will be widened so as to boost capacity. The work will be carried out to meet international standards for construction and safety.

The UAE is investing US$3 billion in improving its road network and general transport infrastructure. New road sections are to be built, while existing roads will be widened so as to boost capacity. The work will be carried out to meet international standards for construction and safety.

A major tunnel construction project is now underway in Bangladesh, the first tunnel in the country to be constructed under a river.

India’s Tamil Nadu State is working on a programme to redevelop 1,538km of rural roads. The plan has been set out by the Tamil Nadu State Government. Financing for the work will be provided by the National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD). The work is being planned by Rural Roads unit of the state’s Highways Department. A budget of US$112.5 million has been set for the upgrade work, which should be completed within six months.

The Canadian province of British Columbia has shortlisted three consortia for its Highway 91/17 upgrade project in Delta, next to Vancouver on the Pacific coast. Kiewit Construction Services will work as design-build contractor while WSP Canada will act as the design firm. Pacific Gateway Constructors and Ledcor CMI will work as lead design-builder along with Aecon Infrastructure Management and Bel Contracting as design builders and McElhanney Engineering Services as the designer. Finally, Gateway Legacy

Funding is being secured that will help pay for the Sarawak Coastal Highway project in Malaysia. The State Government for Sarawak has set a budget of US$2.65 billion for four key infrastructure projects, including the highway, as well as the second state trunk road. All four of the projects are expected to start in 2019 and 2020. A number of Malaysia’s major contractors are reportedly keen to bid for the coastal highway project. The coastal highway project includes the construction of a number of bridges a

Retail sales of construction and earthmoving equipment in the UK market grew by 2% in 2018, despite a drop in the last quarter. Prior to the 8% reduction in sales in Q4 (compared with Q4 2017), the trend over the previous two years had been to show steady, but slowing growth each quarter (see graph). Retail sales in the UK market reached nearly 31,000 units, according to the Construction

Vietnam is planning 11 expressway projects. The Vietnamese Government has set aside US$239 million for the work, with three projects due to commence during 2019. Further financing will be required to pay for the projects and is being provided by various banks. The three projects starting in 2019 are the Cam Lo to La Son expressway costing $342 million, the Cao Bo to Mai Son expressway costing $215 million and the My Thuan 2 bridge, also costing $215 million. Work on the remaining eight projects will commenc

Improvements and upgrades will be carried out key routes in the west of Melbourne. The Australian city will benefit from US$1.27 billion (A$1.8 billion) of work, which includes boosting capacity on eight key routes. The road sections that will be upgraded include the Duncans Road interchange, the Forsyth Road interchange, Dohertys Road, Palmers Road, Derrimut Road and Dunnings Road. Bridge improvements will allow heavier trucks to use certain routes, including Geelong Road, Hyde Street and Ballarat Road. T