Finance & Funding

Azerbaijan invests in road infrastructure

October 6, 2014

Azerbaijan will see a major investment in its road infrastructure. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is supplying funding worth US$350 million that will be targeted at road construction in Azerbaijan. The funding will be for the 2015-2017 period. Meanwhile a further $752 million from the ADB will be used to develop other aspects of infrastructure in Azerbaijan such as general transportation and utilities over the same period.

Strong performance sees Wirtgen Group bullish

September 30, 2014

The Wirtgen Group reports that strong financial performance is expected for 2014. Full results are not yet available for 2014 but the privately held, family owned firm is confident for good results. Joint president Jürgen Wirtgen said, “Sales for 2014 will reach €1.95 billion.” He explained that for the first half of 2013, turnover reached €285 million, whereas for the first six months of 2014, turnover reached €329 million, a jump of 15%. The second half of the year is also looking healthy with the firm on

Bulgarian highway faces construction delays

September 24, 2014

In Bulgaria questions hang over the construction of a section of the Struma Highway. Greek construction company Aktor was originally awarded the contract for Lot 4 of the Struma Highway but work on the project slipped behind schedule. The delays seen so far with the project have not been well received within the Bulgarian Government. The work was supposed to have been completed around the end of 2014 or the beginning of 2015 and the country’s transport ministry has said that work on the highway cannot be de

Brazil plans to rebuild urban roads under PAC programme

September 24, 2014

Urban road in Brazil are to benefit from additional funds for repairs and repaving. An increase of some US$1.35 billion in financing for the country’s accelerated growth programme (PAC) has been approved by the Brazilian Government. The increase in funding has been required as the budget set previously was insufficient for all the planned works.

New highway connection between Montenegro and Bosnia

September 23, 2014

New highway links between Montenegro and Bosnia will make major improvements in transport links for the two countries. Bosnia Herzogovina plans to build its 110km stretch of the Adriatic-Ionic highway that will connect with Montenegro. Meanwhile in Montenegro, plans are in hand for the first stretch of the Bar-Boljare highway. The Bosnian Government is finalising the route for the Adriatic-Ionic highway, based on an earlier feasibility study. This route is of prime importance for the region as it will conne

New northern highway link for Pakistan

September 23, 2014

Pakistan is planning a project to construct a new northern highway connecting Havelian and Hassanabdal. The loans required to finance the project have been signed by both the government of Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The Havelian-Hassanabdal (Burhan) Expressway (E-35) project is for a north-south access controlled highway. This new link will connect the existing highway network with north Pakistan and the associated construction contracts are worth some US$200 million in all.

Loans for planned Paraguayan projects

September 22, 2014

Financing has been found for road repairs and rebuilding in Paraguay. A series of planned projects will see roads and bridge being refurbished and rebuilt. The Latin American Development Bank (CAF) will provide loans worth US$272 million for road and bridge repairs. A $50 million loan will be used to pay for work in the country’s Oriental region. In all 110 bridges will be built across Paraguay. A loan will also pay for improvements to National Route 9 connecting Mariscal Estigarribia and La Patria and La P

Belarus boosting transport budget

September 22, 2014

Belarus is boosting its transportation budget in a bid to develop its road and highway links. The country is increasing investment to US$1.06 billion during 2015, an increase of 40% from the budget for 2014. The budget will be spent on rebuilding existing highways as well as building new highway sections.

Plans in hand for major Ethiopian road programme

September 22, 2014

In Ethiopia plans are in hand for a series of major road projects. The Ethiopian Government has set out a programme of road building contracts to expand the country’s transportation network. The Addis Ababa City Roads Authority (AACRA) intends to build 600km of roads in the 2014/2015 fiscal year. This will extend Ethiopia’s road network from 4,671-5,275km. However AACRA still requires some £189.5 million to complete this project. So far AACRA has received US$305 million from Addis Ababa City Administration,

Case in control

September 22, 2014

A new app available from Case Construction Equipment is said to allow fleet managers deployment, maintenance and security information to be delivered to their tablet device. This sophisticated tool helps contractors make decisions based on information from the field.