Skip to main content

News

Key road links being built in Algeria
April 12, 2013
In Algeria, a series of road projects are underway, as well as in neighbouring Tunisia. A key development in Tunisia is that work is ongoing for an 80km stretch of highway that will connect with Algeria’s East-West Highway. This will further elevate the importance of the East-West highway in Algeria as it already connects with new links in Morocco. The new section in Tunisia will be the next step in this northern route providing connectivity right across North Africa. When the entire 5,600km route is comple
Indonesia’s new landmark bridge project for Sunda Strait
April 12, 2013
Plans are in hand in Indonesia for the Sunda Strait Bridge project. The Indonesian Government intends construction work to commence in 2014. The project will be funded by private investors which will also be given concessions to develop Lampung and Banten. Foreign investment will be required, no matter which firm wins the project. Chinese and South Korean investors are likely to be interested in financing the project.
1.51 million trucks a year will pass the Alps by 2030, says Swiss OFT survey
April 12, 2013
The number of trucks passing the Alps will rise to 1.51 million a year by 2030, compared to 1.2 million in 2012, according to a survey carried out by the research institute INFRAS on behalf of the Swiss transport office OFT. In 1994 the aim was to reduce the truck passing figure to 650,000 by 2018, but in 2011 this was said to be too ambitious. INFRAS suggests that container traffic over the Alps will grow by 50% to 1.3 million units by 2030. While truck transport will increase, the planned transfer of good
International firms interested in Brent Spence Bridge project in Ohio, US
April 12, 2013
Some of the biggest international construction firms are among agencies and companies reportedly interested in funding or developing a new US$2.5 billion Brent Spence Bridge on Interstates 71/75 in the US state of Ohio.
Chile’s urban motorways generated profits of US$113.21mn in 2012
April 12, 2013
Urban motorways generated profits of US$ 113.21 million (CLP 53.46bn) in Chile in 2012 - 105% higher than 2010, and 52% higher than 2011. The country’s urban motorways also generated revenues of $523.755 million (CLP 246.06bn) in 2012, 14% higher than 2010. An increase of 23% in car sales between 2010 and 2012 is thought to be behind these excellent results.
Asphalt exhibition planned for Turkey in 2014
April 12, 2013
In Turkey plans are now in hand for the country’s first Highway & Road Technologies Exhibition. This will be held from 6th-8th February 2014 at the Istanbul Expo Center (IFM) in Istanbul, Turkey and will be organised by Türkel Fair Organization. The event aims to attract international and domestic key manufacturers and industry players. The exhibition is set to be held in halls with a gross area of 10,000m2, plus outdoor exhibition areas. The organisers expect more than 200 companies to exhibit and 10,000 e
Drivers lose 101 hours a year in Brussels traffic jams
April 12, 2013
A person who spends 30 minutes a day driving to get into Brussels loses four days, or 101 hours-a -year in traffic jams, according to the 2012 Congestion Index compiled by TomTom. During rush hour a journey by car is said to take almost a third - 31.8% - longer than normal. Roads are busier in the evening rush hour than the day time rush hour.
Czech Transport Ministry to consider car-sharing scheme
April 12, 2013
The Czech Transport Ministry is considering the adoption of car-sharing scheme as one of the solutions to reduce traffic congestion and lack of parking spaces in towns and cities across the country. Research shows that one shared car could save between five to twenty parking spaces. According to the ministry's proposal for transport policy until 2020, a car-sharing system could be most beneficial when complemented by a combined public transport ticket. The Ministry is said to have been inspired by the car-s
L&T and Delma bid for US$273.71mn Abu Dhabi road project
April 12, 2013
A joint venture between India’s Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and UAE-based Delma Engineering (Delma) has reportedly emerged as the best bidder for a US$273.71 million (INR 15bn) road project in the Emirates. Indian daily newspaper The Economic Times says the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport-led project involves widening the Mafraq to Al Ghweifat highway. It will be built over a period of 30 months. The joint venture also bids for another two road projects in Abu Dhabi, according to The Economic Times.
Research shows male drivers more likely to overtake rashly
April 12, 2013
A new survey carried out in the UK reveals that male drivers are more likely to risk lives by overtaking blind and speeding on rural roads. As a result male drivers are being urged to be more careful. The survey was carried out jointly by safety body Brake and insurance firm Direct Line. The data reveals that 24% risk catastrophic head-on crashes by overtaking blind, while 44% admit speeding at over the national speed limit of 96km/h (60mph) on rural roads. Men are much more likely to take these deadly risk
Software specialist Bentley’s bullish growth
April 12, 2013
Construction software specialist Bentley Systems reports a strong financial performance with its latest annual results. The 2012 financial year has been healthy with regard to the firm’s global operations. The firm’s financial report reveals that revenues grew 5% to a record US$550 million on an historical GAAP basis; in constant currencies, GAAP revenues grew 8% and organic growth was 6%. The company claims user numbers of its software have also grown. The report states that applications use was logged by
Allison/Randon’s role in Brazil infrastructure
April 12, 2013
Construction of the east stretch of the Rodoanel is an important municipal highway project in São Paulo, Brazil, and significant to national infrastructure development. The project relies heavily on Randon trucks equipped with Allison fully automatic transmissions, which are also used at other construction sites in Brazil, due in part to participation in a government infrastructure growth acceleration programme, Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento (PAC). Many national infrastructure construction projects
Global ships first RT100 Unit
April 12, 2013
Global Cranes Sales has shipped its first RT100 unit worldwide, since its unveiling at Bauma China. The shipment to South-East Asia is said to precede many more scheduled to ship worldwide throughout 2013. The RT100, which has a 100tonne capacity and 43m boom, is engineered to have the maximum capacity at radius for its weight. The Zoomlion RT rough terrain crane line includes service and support from Global’s established teams in the United States and abroad. Global Crane Sales, in partnership with Zoom
JCB’s diamond deal for 1,000 backhoes
April 12, 2013
JCB has won a massive order for over 1,000 of its backhoe loaders in a deal which is designed to transform the rural economy of Brazil. Brazil's Ministry of Agrarian Development has signed a tender for the JCB 3C backhoes worth more than £40 million (US$60 million), as the company marks 60 years of backhoe loader production. The machines will be delivered throughout 2013 and put straight to work improving rural roads to ensure food produced for sale gets to market much quicker. The machines will be man
Trimble’s new SITECH technology dealers
April 11, 2013
Trimble has established SITECH technology dealers to serve the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Vietnam. SITECH KSA and SITECH Vietnam join the premier network of SITECH dealerships. The fully dedicated global distribution network offers a comprehensive portfolio of construction technology systems to the heavy civil construction contractor. SITECH technology dealers represent Trimble and Caterpillar machine control systems for the contractor’s entire fleet of heavy equipment regardless of machine brand, along wi