News

Colombian construction firm Odinsa is looking to become one of the country's major concession operators. The ambitious company has put forward a new proposal for a public-private partnership for the repair and maintenance of 1,768km of roads that are the responsibility of Invias. The US$409.83 million (COP 750bn) Odinsa proposal seeks to repair 48% of the roads in the next two years, for which the company will use revenue from 20 out of the 35 Invias tolls that it manages. Works would be contracted with thi

The Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta has revealed that five consortia have entered bids to land the contract for the construction of the €2.08 billion (RON 9bn) 121km Pitesti-Craiova highway. The deadline for the submission of bids was 8 May 2013. Offers were submitted by a consortium formed by Romanian companies such as Spedition UMB, Tehnostrade and Vectra Service. The other four consortia that filed bids are: Obrascon Huarte Lain/OHL ZS (Spain), China Communications Construction Company/Dogus Insaat

In Australia, New South Wales Roads Minister Duncan Gay said talks are continuing between federal and state governments to develop a US$3.03 billion (AUD 3bn) F3-M2 road link in north-west Sydney. It is reported that NSW and federal governments will each pump up to US$407.83 million (AUD 400mn) in to the project. The balance of the funds for the four-year works, set to start in 2013, will be provided by a private firm to construct a tunnel from the F3 freeway to the M2 motorway. The private firm will then c

New data from the UK reveals key information about road risk factors both across the country and in capital London. A new report reveals that around 68% of pedestrian casualties are adults who are at greatest risk on weekend evenings and after consuming alcohol. Meanwhile another separate study in London reveals that cyclists are not at fault in most crashes in which they are involved.

Austrian contractor STRABAG is heading a consortium handling work to complete a section of Poland’s A4 highway between Krzyż and Dębica Pustynia. STRABAG’s subsidiary Heilit+Woerner is responsible for the contract, which was awarded by Poland’s General Directorate for National Roads and Highways (GDDKiA). The contract is worth €236 million (PLN 981 million), of which Heilit+Woerner has a 50% share. The work will be carried out over a 35km section of the route over and 18 month period. The work includes the

Funding for emergency repairs to the US89 route in Arizona is being provided by the US Government. The current US Transportation secretary Ray LaHood announced that US$35 million grant will tackle damage to US Highway 89 in Northern Arizona, which has been closed since its collapse due to a landslide in February 2013. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will use the funds to build a temporary detour on Navajo Route 20 (N20), and continue assessments and emergency repairs, as well as to evaluate

Infrastructure projects valued at US$244.23 million (PHP 10bn) have been introduced by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Metro Manila region of the Philippines. The majority of the new projects are said to be locally funded bridge and road developments. Plans are being proposed to develop a four-lane vehicle tunnel which would run along the intersections of Paseo de Roxas and Makati Revenue. The tunnel, along Sen Gil Puyat Avenue, has approaches of 140m long and the tunnel section is

Exhibitor registrations are now being taken for TranspoQuip Latin America 2013 taking place in São Paulo, Brazil from 3-5 December 2013. Billed as the biggest industry event for safer, efficient and comfortable infrastructure for transport, via land, water and air in Brazil and the rest of Latin America, and now in its sixth edition, this year’s exhibition and conference will take place in the Red Pavilion at the Expo Center Norte. After five years of consecutive growth, the latest TranspoQuip Latin America

Strong industry interest will ensure a large attendance at the FEHRL Infrastructure Research Meeting 2013 (FIRM13). This event is being held from 4-6th June 2013 at the Diamant Centre in Belgian capital Brussels. This key event is gathering over 250 transport infrastructure innovation and research experts, including European and national policy makers, leading industry and standardisation agencies. The theme for FIRM13 is Advanced and Innovative Construction and Maintenance and the event will feature sessio

Deutz has revealed a 40% increase in its new orders during Q1 2013 compared to the previous trading quarter. The Cologne, Germany-based diesel engine manufacturing giant said the significant new order rise represented a continuation of an encouraging trend that emerged in Q4 2012. New orders for Deutz were worth €388.5 million in the first quarter of 2013, compared to new orders valued at €276.6 million in Q4 2012. The new order value for Q1 2013 was also in line with the €390 million reported for Q1 2012.

An estimated 34,080 people died in road accidents in the United States in 2012, up 5.3% on the year before, according to a new report from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The reported deaths figure is the highest since 2008. In 2012, the US NHTSA said the fatality rate or the number of people killed for every 100 million vehicle miles travelled was 1.16, compared to 1.1 in 2011.

Spanish infrastructure operator Abertis is reportedly interested in participating in new motorway projects valued around US$20.9 billion (BRL 42bn) planned by the Brazilian government. However, Abertis said its main interest remained in short-term investment projects which will be connected to its own motorways. As a result, the company may be participating in the BR-050 motorway project, expected to demand an investment of $1.142 billion (BRL 2.3bn). Abertis is also reported to be considering the acquisiti

New transport infrastructure in Russia will be created from a US$4.178 billion (RUB 130bn) federal budget pot for boosting transport, energy supply, communications, utilities, and safety infrastructure ahead of the country hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, a further US$3.857 billion (RUB 120bn) is to be spent on the reconstruction of sport facilities ahead of the international football showpiece event. To pay for the huge infrastructure spending the Russian government is reported to have ordered