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San Francisco’s Bay Bridge eastern span S Curve bows out
April 2, 2015
The S Curve section of the old San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is the latest piece of the iconic cantilever crossing of San Francisco Bay to meet its maker. It has been professionally videoed by San Francisco’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission and is available on the website of the local newspaper Easy Bay Express. A sweeping new Bay Bridge has been built right beside the old crossing which is being dismantled in sections and phases.
Poland: Intercor wins S3 dual carriageway contract
April 2, 2015
Przedsiebiorstwo Uslug Technicznych Intercor has been awarded a contract to build the second section of the S3 dual carriageway. The 11.6km section will stretch from Przeszkody to Paszkow and cost around €106 million (nearly US$116 million). The S3 will run from Świnoujście on the Baltic Sea through Szczecin, Gorzów Wielkopolski, Zielona Góra and Legnica to the border with the Czech Republic, where it will connect to the D11 motorway.
Kazakhstan announces infrastructure investment programme to 2020
April 2, 2015
Kazakhstan’s deputy minister for investments and development Zhenis Kasymbek has said that about US$20 billion will be invested in development of all types of transport infrastructure by 2020. The main funds will be allocated for the Caspian region, in particular for projects to improve connections to Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. Apart from road infrastructure, money will be invested to construct the Beyneu-Zhezkazgan railway and development of the Altynkol-Khorgos railway section in the direction of
European police group TISPOL committed to helping cut road deaths
April 2, 2015
In its latest three-year strategic plan, the European Traffic Police Network has reaffirmed its commitment to the European Union’s road death reduction target of 50% by 2020. World Highways reported last month that road deaths fell by just 1% in the EU in 2014, according to data released by the European Commission. There were 25,700 road deaths across all 28 Member States of the EU. The European Commissioner of Transport, Violeta Bulc said at the time that the statistics give some cause for concern. S
Bauma 2016 Innovation Awards entries accepted starting today
April 1, 2015
Entries are now open for the bauma Innovation Awards to be presented at the international construction and construction equipment trade fair bauma in Munich in 2016. As last time, in 2016 the awards are again being presented in five categories: • Machinery • Components • Construction process/Construction work • Research • Design bauma 2016 in Munich is a major international showcase for construction machinery, building material machines, mining machines, construction vehicles and c
Chinese highway projects now underway
March 30, 2015
Two major highway projects are now moving forward in China, with one connecting Guangdong Province with Guangzhou Province and the other lcoated in Yunnan Province. The second stage of Guangzhou-Foshan-Zhaoqing highway project will provide an improved link between Guangdong Province and Guangzhou Province and work will commence at the end of 2015. The new highway will connect Zhaoqing in Guangdong Province with Shijing in Guangzhou Province. The project is worth US$2 billion and the work is expected to be c
Quiet cars causing concerns for pedestrians
March 30, 2015
Data from the UK reveals that quiet electric vehicles or hybrids operating in electric mode pose particular problems for pedestrians. A report has found that such vehicles are 40% more likely to be involved in a traffic incident involving a pedestrian than a conventional combustion-engined vehicle. The report adds that partially sighted or blind people face the highest risks, while children and older people are also at risk. This follows earlier research from Japan, highlighting the risks to pedestrians pos
Switzerland sees safety success cut crash crashes
March 30, 2015
Switzerland’s road safety improvement continues, with a fall in road deaths during 2014. According to data from the Swiss federal office for roads Astra, there were 17,803 road crashes in Switzerland in 2014 and 243 fatalities, a drop of 24% compared with the average for the years 2009-2014. Meanwhile road crashes were the cause of 4,043 serious injuries and 17,478 slight injuries in 2014. However the number of people seriously injured in crashes rose by 8%. And 29 bicycle riders were killed in road traffic
Nicaragua is planning major road investments
March 30, 2015
The Nicaraguan Government is setting out major plans for road infrastructure development. The country's master plan for road infrastructure envisages work to a total of 4,200km of main roads across the country. This programme is expected to cost in the order of US$5.20 billion, according to pre-feasibility studies carried out by Korea Expressway Corporation (KEC). Funding is being sought at present by the Nicaraguan Government, which is in discussion with a number of bodies.
Yanmar introducing new mini excavators
March 27, 2015
Yanmar says that its new SV26 is the first machine from the firm that has been completely designed and constructed in Europe. This short tailswing mini excavator is said to offer high performance, low fuel consumption and good durability.
MOBA offering sophisticated excavator control system
March 27, 2015
MOBA says that the modular concept behind its Xsite excavator control system ensures that the package can be used in a wide array of excavator installations and duties. The system can be set up for small or large projects and customers have a choice of a simpler 2D package or a more sophisticated 3D system.
Dynatest improves its falling weight deflectometer
March 27, 2015
The pavement engineering firm Dynatest has unveiled its new, Fast Falling Weight Deflectometer (FastFWD). The FastFWD enable users to collect pavement structural data faster than ever before.
Fatal bridge collapse in Texas
March 27, 2015
A bridge being built in Texas has collapsed, killing at least one person according to local news reports. The incident happened on Interstate 35 in the town of Salado, around 80km to the north of the city of Austin. Local news suggests that an oversized truck collided with part of the structure, causing the bridge to collapse. As the structure gave way large sections of the bridge fell onto other vehicles, resulting in at least one fatality as well as a number of injuries. The highway has been shut until th
Low emissions vehicles only for central London
March 26, 2015
UK capital London is taking further steps to reduce pollution with the introduction of an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). This will be introduced in central London in 2020 and is intended to improve air quality across the city.
Young distracted drivers causing crashes
March 26, 2015
The US-based AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has carried out research revealing shocking figures on young driver distraction. According to video analysis, 58% of moderate-severe crashes involving teenaged drivers in the US include distraction as a causal factor. This figure is around four times than was previously thought based on police reports.