News

Vietnam is setting out plans for a massive programme of infrastructure investment. International investment is being sought, with many of the projects being planned under the PPP model. Transport will be placed as a top priority, with a budget of US$400 billion having been discussed as Vietnam’s transport spending target for the next 10 years. One of the biggest projects will be for the construction of a new highway connecting Vietnam’s two main cities, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. The two cities are some 1,

Concrete finishing work has started on the completed north approach viaduct of England’s new 2.13km Mersey Gateway project. Over the past three years, around 18,400m³of concrete was used to build the viaduct. When complete near the end of this year, around 60,000 vehicles are expected to use the toll bridge every day, or nearly 22 million vehicles annually.

Chile’s Ministry of Public Works has launched the bidding process for construction of a 150km dual-carriageway in the region of Antofagasta. The new road will take in the communities of Calama and Sierra Gorda and include five flyovers and three rail overpasses, in addition to improvement works on the roundabout to access Calama. Technical offers are expected by July followed by financial analysis reports by August, according to the ministry. The estimated cost is around US$290 million. Meanwhile,

Authorities in Vietnam’s southern Ho Chi Minh City are seeking prime ministerial approval for the nearly 2.2km-long Thu Thiêm Bridge 4 project. The six-lane bridge will cost more than US$230 million and be a build-transfer contract, according to a report in the Vietnam Investment Review. In September, Ho Chi Minh’s City’s People’s Committee said it is considering three investors for the work - Phát Đạt Corporation Real Estate Development, Investment Corporation 620 and 168 Construction Development Investmen

The first stage of the 3.3km Escenica Alterna Tunnel in Acapulco was opened this month. The three-lane tunnel – one is reversible – is costing around US$62 million and will improve connections between coastal areas and Diamante zone, as well as access to Acapulco International Airport. Gerardo Ruiz Esparza, Secretary of Communication and Transport, said that the project would be concluded in June with construction of Cayaco-Diamante elevated road. The project is funded by the National Infrastructure F

Thailand has seen a major improvement in road safety during the most recent Songkran holiday period. The number of road deaths during the Songkran holiday period dropped by 17% compared with the previous year. During the first five days of the Songkran holiday, there were 2,985 road crashes with 283 deaths and 3,087 injuries. In the Songkran holiday during last year there were 2,724 road crashes but 338 road deaths. Drink driving was the biggest cause of crashes at 45.26%. Motorcycles were involved in 78.96

Pakistan is planning a massive investment in transport development projects. The country has set a budget of US$1 billion for vital road projects, which have gained approval from Pakistan’s federal Government. The three road infrastructure projects form part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). These include a $183 million road link stretching 110km between Basima and Khuzdar, a 210km dual carriageway between Yarik and Zhob costing $725.7 million and a $76.3 million road stretching 280km from Rai

China’s Fujian Province is increasing its transport development budget. The authorities in Fujian Province have set a budget of US$13.07 billion for transport development. The projects will include improvements in rural infrastructure, transport services, passenger interchange facilities, port projects, road construction, interstate projects and expressway projects.

Massive spending in a major road project will boost transport in Australia’s busy city of Sydney, helping cut chronic congestion. Building and improving the road links to connect with the new WestConnex motorway project is expected to cost in the order of US$ 21.97 billion in all. The construction of the WestConnex motorway is itself expected to cost some $12.7 billion. Meanwhile building the exit section at St Peters will itself cost in the order of $757 million.

Plans are now going ahead in Slovakia for a key stretch of the D1 highway project. This 8km Presov West-Presov South section will cost €356 million to construct. The project will be carried out by the D1 Presov Consortium. The project partners in the consortium comprise Eurovia SK, Eurovia CS, Doprastav, Metrostav and Metrostav Slovakia. The agreement with the consortium was reached with Slovakia's National Highway Company (NDS), which awarded the package of works. Construction will commence in June 2017 an

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) AFB20 Committee on Roadside Safety Design is hosting the First International Roadside Safety Conference. Called the 1st IRSC, the Safer Roads, Saving Lives, Saving Money event will be held from June 12th-15th, 2017 in San Francisco, California. This is the first time the Roadside Safety Committee has conducted such a conference that will include an exhibition and a total immersion into Roadside Safety.

Delays have hit a major highway construction project in Singapore. Work on the 21.5km North-South Corridor was originally planned to start towards the end of 2017. However, construction will now commence in 2018. The delays to the start have been cauaed by the need for further revisions to the plans. When complete the new North-South Corridor highway will provide a connection between the northern region and the city. Despite the work starting later than planned, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) be

China’s Qinghai Province is setting out plans for major improvements to its road network. The authorities in Qinghai Province have set out a budget of US$28.97 billion for a series of road upgrades to improve the network, which will be carried out over the next five years. The province has already embarked on a series of road upgrades and by 2020, the aim is to boost the road network by 10,000km. The roads will feature concrete construction and the plan is to connect every township and village to the networ