Finance & Funding

Bolivia’s La Paz region is set to benefit from a major programme of highway development work. The country’s road management firm Administradora Boliviana de Carreteras (ABC) is to spend over US$2.58 billion on road construction work from 2017-2020. The plans call for work to nearly 800km of roads, with the aim of improving transport links between La Paz and the rest of the country. One road will offer and upgraded connection from Charazani-Apolo-Tumupasa-Ixiamas-Chive. One will run from Undiavi-Chulumani-Sa

Onsite work has started in the Kapiti Coast region on the Otaki-Peka Peka Expressway, part of the greater Wellington Northern Corridor project. Simon Bridges, New Zealand’s transport minister, recently turned the first sod on the US$175 million project. Travel times should be improved between Port of Wellington, hospitals, Wellington’s central business district and ferry terminals. The 110km Wellington Northern Corridor largely follows the current state highway route from the airport to Linden, near Tawa. F

The UK government plans to create of a Major Road Network class of highway which would tap into the multi-million euro annual National Road Fund. Main roads that are now overseen by local authorities would share the National Roads Fund that is financed by the VED – vehicle excise duty - which was previously envisaged to be ring-fenced for national routes. The VED was around €6.6 billion for 2016-17. Roads covered by the strategy are the A-class highways. The deal is part of an investment strategy unveiled b

A new rural road development programme is being planned that will improve transport in India’s Gujarat State. A budget of US$329 million has been set to boost access to some 4,000 villages across the state that currently have inadequate connections to the transport network.

AB Volvo has sold its entire holding in German engine maker DEUTZ to institutional investors. The investment equated to approximately 25% of DEUTZ shares.

Kenya’s port of Mombasa will benefit from transport link improvements through a loan facility provided by Japan.

India’s Rajasthan State is benefiting from new financing for its Highways Investment Programme. A loan facility will pay for highway development work in the state. Approval has been given from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Progress is now being seen in Colombia with regard to key tunnel and road projects. A consortium comprising Conconcreto and CSS Constructores is to complete the 12% of work still needed to finish the La Linea Tunnel project.

The Irish Government is boosting its budget for transport spending by a further €1 billion.

The widening of a 10km stretch of road connecting Aldinga with Seaford in South Australia is being proposed. The project is expected to cost US$231 million (A$305 million) and will see the Main South Rd from Aldinga to Seaford being doubled.