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New Bolivian highway programme planned
June 17, 2015
Bolivia's state-owned road operator Administradora Boliviana de Carreteras (ABC) has an ambitious road building programme. This will see the construction of a further 3,172km of roads, of which almost 1,000km will be completed in 2015. The 1,000km of roads on track for completion comprise some 16 projects in seven departments. ABC has budgeted US$1.17 billion for its programme of works, an increase over the $995.4 million for the previous financial year.
Telematics technology can identify risky drivers
June 16, 2015
A new study shows that the risk level of a driver’s likelihood of a crash can be determined accurately. An independent study carried out by driver behaviour specialist CAS for Risk Technology shows that data collected by automotive telematics devices can accurately predict the likelihood of a motorist having a crash. CAS carried out its research with 1,291 drivers who were insured by a leading UK firm and had telematics devices installed in their vehicles. The study examined how driver behaviour affects the
Europe’s road safety targets at risk
June 15, 2015
The EU’s targets for road safety are at risk due to increased fatalities in France, Germany and UK. This new analysis has been published by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC). According to the ETSC data, 2014 showed the lowest annual reduction in EU road deaths since 2001. In all 25,845 people were killed in road crashes in the 28 nations of the EU during 2014. This represented a decrease of just 0.6% compared to 2013. EU member states now need to cut deaths by almost 8% each year until 2020 to me
Japan introducing new licence renewal rules for elderly drivers
June 15, 2015
Japan is planning to introduce new rules for elderly drivers. The scheme is intended to boost safety for older drivers aged 75 or more. There has been concern that with an ageing population, there will be an increased risk from elderly drivers with inadequate skills.
UK: Kier Group completes purchase of Mouchel
June 11, 2015
In the UK, Kier Group has completed its purchase of Mouchel, the infrastructure repair and maintenance provider. The deal worth just more than €364 million (US$405 million) strengthens Kier's position in the British highways maintenance and management sector. A €467 million rights issue was used to finance the deal.
Doosan selling Montabert to Joy
June 10, 2015
Doosan has sold 100% of its holding in Montabert to Joy Global. The move is a strategic one for Joy, which is a major player in the worldwide underground mining industry. This move has been made as Montabert’s products and equipment are a good fit for Joy Global’s core business in high productivity mining equipment. The deal will provide Montabert with a strong market in the global mining industry. It also allows Doosan to further focus on capturing all growth opportunities in order to significantly grow th
London roads pose danger for powered two wheeler riders
June 10, 2015
There were 127 deaths on London's roads in 2014, according to official figures released by Transport for London (TfL). Of these deaths, 27 were of motorcyclists. Given that motorcyclists still constitute a comparatively small percentage of the total number of road users, this is of concern. Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the Institute of Advanced Motorists' (IAM) said, "Motorcycling is gaining in popularity in the capital where it offers an excellent solution to London's congestion problems,
Shantui wins machine deal to Zambia
June 10, 2015
As a result of the agreement Shantui will now supply the organisation with over USD$4 million worth of equipment. Consisting of 240kW SD32 bulldozers and 20tonne class SE210 excavators, the machines will be used as part of a programme employing youths to develop infrastructure throughout the country. The machines were successfully shipped from the Port of Tianjin in late February 2015. The negotiations were conducted by a joint effort between Shantui and AVIC International, a team which was also responsib
Shantui wins major dozer deal for Philippines
June 10, 2015
Shantui is supplying a major export order for hydrostatic bulldozers to the Philippines in a key move Shantui recently completed its first bulk export of hydrostatic bulldozers, delivering them to the Philippines. The shipment included 27 units of the 75kW class hydrostatic SD10YE and 51 units of the 97kW SD13-2. This is the first time a large number of hydrostatic bulldozers were shipped by Shantui as a bulk order. The equipment is to be used by the Philippines customer on a large-scale infrastructure d
New Volga bridge crossing in Russia
June 9, 2015
The government of the Saratov region (Volga) is considering building another bridge over the Volga River between Saratov and Engels. No details of the project have been released but media reports suggest it will be built under a public-private partnership. According to Nikolay Churikov, the minister of transport and roads for the Saratov region, the project could cost as much as nearly US$764 million. Saratov is a city and the administrative centre of Saratov Oblast and a major port on the Volga River. T
A slow start for Mexico’s Atizapan-Atlacomulco highway
June 9, 2015
Almost one year after work started on Mexico’s Atizapan-Atlacomulco highway, little progress appears to have been made. OHL Mexico, a subsidiary of the Spanish construction firm OHL group -- Obrascon Huarte Lain -- said that the apparent lack of progress is due to the government not having arranged access to the road. Sergio Hidalgo, director general for OHL Mexico, told investors that the land for the first of three stages of the project, covering 25km between Atlacomulco and Ixtlahuaca was released
Slovakia opens up more D1 motorway sections to tender
June 9, 2015
Slovakia’s national motorway company NDS has put out to tender two sections of the D1 motorway near Presov and Kosice. Both tenders have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union, with bid submission deadlines set for June 29. The first section is the south-west D1 by-pass of Presov at nearly 8km long, including the construction of a 2km duel-tube road tunnel Presov and estimated to cost €443.4 million. The second section is the 14.5km-long D1 Budimir to Bidovce stretch, with cost
Pan Borneo Highway in focus for tenders
June 8, 2015
A series of major infrastructure projects in Malaysia are attracting strong interest from prospective bidders. The series of infrastructure projects forms part of the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP). Firms keen to participate in the tender process include UEM Edgenta, Bina Puri Holdings and Nexgram Holdings. One of the biggest projects planned is for the Pan Borneo Highway. In all this is expected to be worth some US$7.18 billion. The start of the works for the 1,663km road has yet to be defined but the route sho
Key Indonesia bridge project proves unfeasible
June 8, 2015
Proposals to construct the Sunda Strait Bridge are not feasible, according to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia. Safety risks from earthquakes, tsunami, high tides and extreme weather conditions make the project impractical. A US$75.46 million feasibility study was carried out for the project. This pointed out that the bridge is at a high risk from earthquakes and tsunamis due to its vicinity to the Anak Krakatoa volcano.
Liebherr sees steady performance worldwide
June 8, 2015
The Liebherr Group has seen a steady financial performance in 2014, with turnover reaching a healthy €8.823 billion, similar to the previous financial year. The company continued to invest in developing its operations, spending €816 million in expanding and modernising its manufacturing facilities and also strengthening the sales and service organisation. The number of employees has now risen to 40,839 in total. The €8.823 billion turnover was slightly lower, 1.6%, than for the previous financial year howev