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Incomplete UK roadworks could number up to 25,000
May 13, 2014
There could be up to 25,000 incomplete roadworks across the UK, according to breakdown recovery firm LV Road Rescue. The estimated figure equates to around 3,862kms of roadworks. Local authorities are spending €800 million (£647 million) on roadworks. In a separate survey, two-thirds of UK motorists believe the quality of roads in their local area is getting worse and more than a third (37%) said roadworks are not completed quickly enough. It is said the road repairs backlog is around €12.78 billion (£10.5
Funds agreed, further funds sought for Paraguay road and bridge projects
May 13, 2014
Paraguay's Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) has requested a US$289.45 million donation from the Mercosur Structural Convergence Fund (Focem) for the second stage of the Costanera road project (Costanera II) and a second bridge connecting the country to Brazil. Of this total, around $117.44 million will be allocated to works on Costanera II. This is higher than the initial estimate of $100 million, with 60% covered by Focem and 40% financed by a local counterpart. The bridge, which will req
Spanish crash analysis highlights tyres
May 13, 2014
Research carried out in Spain highlights tyre problems as being the cause of a significant number of crashes. The study was carried out jointly by Spanish automobile club, RACE, and tyre manufacturer Goodyear. The results of the study estimate close to 824,000 private vehicles in Spain feature tyres that are in a condition described as ‘deficient’. Analysis of crash data carried out by RACE also shows that tyre problems were the cause of 34% of crashes in Spain in 2013. Worryingly, this represents an increa
New highways opening in Mexico
May 12, 2014
Mexico’s national infrastructure programme, PNI, is helping to extend the country’s highway network and improve connectivity. In the period from 2014-2018, a total of 2,772km of new Federal Highways will be opened to traffic. There will be 46 new highways completed in this period. Key projects include the Mexico-Tuxpan, Oaxaca-Istmo, Tuxpan-Tampico, Atizapan-Atlacomulco and Cardel-Poza Rica highways. Five of the 46 highways planned are already complete, while 27 are under construction and tenders are being
Dynamic electric vehicle charging trial for UK
May 12, 2014
A trial of dynamic electric vehicle charging technology is to be carried out in the UK. The Highways Agency is to test on-road charging systems that will provide significant range extension capabilities for electric vehicles. Equipment installed below the road surface will generate electromagnetic fields, recharging vehicles as they are driven. Tests of both dynamic and semi-dynamic charging technologies are planned, although the dates and locations of the trials have not as yet been disclosed. One of the t
JCB reports strong performance despite tough market
May 12, 2014
UK equipment manufacturer JCB is bullish and reports strong sales, despite difficult trading conditions. The company claims that its sales for 2013 are the third highest it has achieved, since the firm was established 68 years ago. Earnings stood at €383.7 million on an EBITDA basis, compared with €447.4 million for 2012. Meanwhile turnover reached €3.28 billion, close to the €3.31 billion achieved for 2012 and machine unit sales stood hit 66,227, compared with 69,250 for the previous year. JCB Chairman Lor
New Hyundai – Cummins JV factory opens in Korea
May 12, 2014
A new joint venture factory in South Korea has now been completed for the Hyundai Cummins partnership. The 78,045m2 Hyundai Engine Company (HCEC) plant is located in Daegu and will produce engines for construction machines. The two firms agreed a deal to establish the joint venture plant, capable of producing 50,000 engines/year, back in December 2012. This operation has a sales target of US$500 million by 2020, and is expected to create about 3,700 direct and indirect jobs in the region by 2020.
Deutz posts bullish Q1 results
May 2, 2014
Engine firm Deutz reports a strong financial performance for the first quarter of 2014. The company says it won new orders amounting to €414.2 million in the first three months of the new year, outstripping the €388.5 million achieved in the same period last year by 6.6%.
Australia: US$1.39bn federal budget for Victoria’s East West Link second phase
May 2, 2014
The Australian government is providingUS$1.39 billion (AUD 1.5 billion) to finance the second phase of Victoria state’s 18km long East West Link road project. According to a statement, the infusion will allow both stages to be built simultaneously. As a result, the project could be completed by 2023. The second stage of the road project will link the Western Ring Road to the eastern section, connecting CityLink and the Eastern Freeway.
French 18-25 year olds underestimate driving style-linked dangers, study shows
May 2, 2014
According to a TNS Sofres study on driving styles for Axa, the frequency of driving and the kilometres travelled annually by France’s 18 to 25 year olds are higher than the national average. The study, which focuses on 350 young drivers in this demographic in addition to 1,200 other drivers, shows that they underestimate the dangers of using smartphones while driving. The study also showed that 62% of 18 to 25 year olds drive when they are tired.
April 2014
May 2, 2014
Drivers of heavy vehicles should be careful where they choose to park - image courtesy of Jane Isaacs
Serbia’s Zezelj bridge still to be repaired 15 years after NATO bombing
May 2, 2014
A Serbian daily newspaper has reported that Zezelj road and railway bridge, over the Danube river by the city of Novi Sad, is still in need of repairs, more than 15 years after NATO bombs destroyed it.
Contractor states key Nigerian bridge project on schedule
May 1, 2014
The consortium building Nigeria’s key Second Niger River Crossing, close to the city of Onitsha, says that the bridge will be ready for traffic on time, according to the contract requirements. The consortium is headed by German owned contractor Julius Berger Nigeria and the PPP package has been set out as a 25 year concession contract. The project is costing close to US$700 million to construct and includes the bridge itself as well as associated road and rail connections as the structure is being designed
UK motorway upgrade ahead of schedule
May 1, 2014
Joint venture contractor Skanska Balfour Beatty has completed work on a 19km section of the M25 motorway in the UK, six months ahead of schedule. Work on the M25 scheme between junctions 5 and 7 in Kent and Surrey forms part of a new generation of technology-driven improvements on the UK’s strategic road network.
EIB backing Irish motorway link
April 30, 2014
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing financial backing worth €144 million for the new M17/M18 Gort-Tuam motorway project. The M17/M18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme is situated in the west of Ireland and will be constructed as a four lane motorway that will replace the existing N17/N18 roads. This new motorway will reduce journey times by around 20 minutes and has an overall cost estimated at €550 million. Construction work will start during this year and this is the second transport PPP to be signed un