Finance & Funding

Japan to fund Nepal tunnel

September 8, 2016

A new road tunnel in Nepal will provide a key transport link from the country’s capital, Kathmandu. The 2.5km tunnel will be Nepal’s first and should help cut traffic congestion in the Thankot Pass, which lies to the west of the capital.

Euro Auctions brings in the euros at its Leeds, UK site

September 6, 2016

Euro Auctions reports that it had record sales at its three-day auction at its recently expanded Leeds site in the United Kingdom at the end of August. A total of 4,645 lots went under the hammer at the 10.5 hectare site, achieving over €37 million. More than 40% of sales were placed via the internet, a record for internet sales, said Jonnie Keys, general manager of Euro Auctions.

Poland finally completes the cross-country A4 Autostrada

September 6, 2016

Poland officially opened the 672km A4 Autostrada that runs through southern Poland from the border with Germany to that with the Ukraine. The motorway passes through major Polish cities including Wrocław, Katowice and Kraków.

Skanska to Slovakia’s D1 motorway for €214 million

September 6, 2016

Skanska has won a contract with the National Highway Authority (NDS) to extend the 14.4km long motorway D1 in eastern Slovakia. The new motorway will include 23 bridges and four viaducts, along with required noise protection. Another R2/R4 express road will also be extended.

Colombia: financial closure achieved for 13 4G road projects

September 6, 2016

Colombia's Minister of Transport, Jorge Eduardo Rojas, announced that 13 projects within the framework of 4G – Fourth Generation - road development have reached financial closure.

Canada: Ring of Fire road debate heats up

September 6, 2016

A 400km road built specifically into the Canada’s isolated but mineral-rich Ring of Fire region could cost between US$204-$443 million, according to a government-funded study. The road, entirely in the province of Ontario, would start in the port of Thunder Bay at the head of the Great Lakes and run northeast to the James Bay area, just south of Hudson Bay.

Strabag thinks positive despite drop in half year group revenue

September 2, 2016

Publicly listed construction company Strabag reports “a very positive development” in the first six months of 2016, despite lower group revenue. Consolidated group revenue fell back 8% to €5,312.15 million.

US construction machine exports remain low

September 1, 2016

According to the US-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), exports of machines from the US remain at a low level. The AEM’s analysis shows that exports of US-made construction equipment were down 24% overall at midyear 2016 compared to the first half of 2015. In all machines worth US$5.65 billion were shipped to global markets.

Caterpillar and Ritchie Bros announce a strategic alliance

September 1, 2016

Caterpillar has announced an alliance with Ritchie Bros, a global industrial auctioneer and equipment distributor, for the Canada-based company to conduct live onsite and online auctions for used Caterpillar equipment.

Ritchie Bros pick up IronPlanet for around US$758.5 million

August 30, 2016

Canada-based Ritchie Bros Auctioneers announced it will buy IronPlanet, a private company based in the United States but operating globally, for around US$758.5 million. IronPlanet was set up in 1999 and focuses on the needs of corporate accounts, equipment manufacturers, dealers and government entities in equipment disposition solutions. The company conducts its sales primarily through online-only platforms, with weekly online auctions and in other equipment marketplaces.