Highway & Network Management

Financing Portugal's road network

February 14, 2012

Following a government decision, a new model for the management and financing of the road infrastructures sector was defined in 2007 and is now being implemented. The national road agency (Estradas de Portugal or EP, EPE) was transformed into a state-owned public company, Estradas de Portugal, SA (EP, SA), and a new body, the Institute for Road Infrastructures (InIR), was created with public functions of regulation and supervision of road infrastructures.

Key project for US commences

February 14, 2012

In the US work is now commencing on the key I-269 highway upgrade at Byhalia in the state of Mississippi. The new US$19.5 million section now under construction will complete the beltway around nearby Memphis, Tennessee.

Portugal's road safety initiative

February 14, 2012

The Portuguese experience with road safety has proved that planning, development, introduction, and hard work do pay off in the end. Paulo Marques Augusto, president of the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR), explained that in the last 10 years a decrease of over 50% has been achieved in the number of fatalities on the road network despite a continuing growth in traffic demand (there are five million vehicles in Portugal), and a similar reduction in travel time on most of the connections between Lisbon a

Major highway growth in Portugal

February 14, 2012

Twenty years ago Portugal was bottom of the European league in terms of roads and safety. A series of ambitious plans has seen the country rise to the top. Patrick Smith reports on how this was achieved

Israel investing in infrastructure

February 13, 2012

The tender process is opening for Israel's Road 531 project, which will link Tel Aviv with Sharon. The highway contract will form part of the country's largest ever road project, according to the Israel National Roads Company.

Advanced road drainage system

February 13, 2012

An advanced approach to maintenance is helping ensure that the UK county of Kent keeps on top of road drainage. Kent Highway Services (KHS) has a network of some 8,400km of roads and drains, which requires a fleet of vehicles to maintain and support. In order to keep traffic moving and avoid flooding hazards for motorists, road drainage systems have to be consistently monitored and maintained. Previously this was carried out on a reactive basis, but this has proved to be neither cost effective nor efficient

2010 GRAA Winner Profiles

February 13, 2012

Our series of profiles on winning projects from the 2010 Global Road Achievement (GRAA) Awards continues with the Construction Methodology Category won by Barrier Systems/Utah Department of Transportation With any major road construction project, the disruption of traffic flow is of paramount concern for engineers, workers and travellers, particularly as it relates to increased traffic delays and the safety of those driving through the work zone.

Need for defined work zone safety regulations

February 13, 2012

Christophe Nicodème, ERF's Director General, explores a missing link in the road safety chain

Peruvian port link

February 13, 2012

A key road project is now commencing in Peruvian port Callao. The work is costing some US$186.4 million and is being carried out by Brazilian contractor Andrade Gutierrez.

Illuminated bollard lighting-up

February 13, 2012

Efficient and effective lighting is possible using the new Tornado bollard from US Architectural Lighting. This unit is said to offer a modern approach to public area lighting, along with significant energy-savings, while featuring a micro-prism lens, the unit produces a soft lighting effect.