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The first engines built in the Chinese joint venture facility established by Cummins and LiuGong are now rolling off the production line. The factory, located in Liuzhou in Guangxi Province, is part of a 50:50 partnership between the two companies called Guangxi Cummins Engine Company. The facility is now making L9.3 engines to meet the demand of both LiuGong and other Chinese equipment manufacturers. The engine is available in multiple versions to meet various off-road emissions standards and has been deve

A series of four motorway projects in Colombia, known as the Autopistas de la Prosperidad, covering 844km and costing US$4.45 billion (COP 8tn), will be put out to tender from 11 April 2013. As well as the high profile road schemes, due to be awarded in October 2013, the government has also announced that a programme to boost national growth and productivity will be implemented. The Colombian financial budget for 2013 has been adjusted, signifying a $1 billion drop in foreign loans, while efforts will be ma

From 2 May 2013, it will be illegal for drivers in Norway to touch their mobile phones while behind the wheel of their vehicle for any other purpose other than accepting a call or hanging up. The tougher laws on the use of mobile phones while driving were outlined by Marit Arnstad, Norway's Transport Minister. It means that text messaging and use of Facebook or other applications will be prohibited for drivers.

The Malacca state government in Malaysia will spend US$196.75 million (MYR 612.30mn) to build and improve roads in the state. The budget will develop 73 road projects that will connect more places within the state.

A unit of China State Construction International Holdings (China State Construction) has signed a US$617.4 million (HKD 4.79bn) contract with the Highways Department of Hong Kong. The company will build a 150m long slip road tunnel beneath the Victoria Park Road and the northern area of Victoria Park. A 300m twin box tunnel section will also be built by China State Construction under the seabed of Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter, as part of the 4.5km Central-Wan Chai Bypass development.

A report by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute on traffic congestion in the US has revealed key data on increasing traffic volumes. California-based transportation body the Reason Foundation has analysed the 2012 Urban Mobility Report, which was produced it in cooperation with traffic data from INRIX and shows that as the US economy slowly recovers, congestion is increasing gradually. According to the Reason Foundation’s analysis of the data, US traffic congestion has not yet reached of the 2005-07 peri

Research into the risks posed by the use of smartphones by drivers has revealed extremely worrying results. An international study into this field has shown that using cellphones to send texts while at the wheel can deliver significant risks for vehicle occupants as well as others. The study has shown that sending texts while at the wheel presents a similar safety risk to being 25% over the legal limit for alcohol in the bloodstream. In addition the study has shown that using hands-free telephone technology

In the Indian state of Bihar, investment is underway to improve the infrastructure links with neighbouring Nepal. Some US$109 million is being invested in the plan. The new road links will boost transport connections between Nepal and India and provide an economic boost in terms of trade between the two nations.

Discussions on the next stage of engine emissions controls for Europe will commence in due course. This will follow the completion of the EC Consultation process on Stage V Emissions, which is being closed shortly. The consultation on the next round of changes to the engine emissions directive has been taking key topics under consideration. This is reviewing possible extensions to the legislation to include large and small engines and more petrol engines. Setting new stages including a Stage V with particle

Europe’s construction contracting association, the FIEC, is calling for increased investment in training programmes for the construction sector. FIEC president Thomas Schleicher spoke at the Tripartite Social Summit as part of the employers’ delegation, co-chaired by Irish prime minister Enda Kenny, the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and the president of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso. Schleicher said, “The focus of this Summit was on the challenges of the recovery and the

Itaipu Binacional and Parque Tecnologico de Itaipu (PTI) are said to be in the planning stages of developing a second electric car in Paraguay, following on from the Aguara electric prototype car. The new small family electric car will be able to travel 100km-120km on a full battery charge, reaching a maximum speed of 100km/h. The ultimate aim is to depend less on imported fuels.

Italian motorway operator SIAS saw a rise in net profits to €508 million (US$ 661.99mn) in 2012, from €180.6 million the previous year. The firm’s Ebitda was down by 14.7% to €558 million, while revenues decreased to €853 million, down by 0.8%, traffic dropped by 7.48% and road infrastructure investments amounted to €272 million. Sias's saw a reduction of €235 million in its net debt to €1.521 billion. The company has proposed an overall dividend of €273 million, corresponding to €1.2 per share.

A ‘pay-as-you-go’ policy is set to be introduced on some of Taiwan’s national freeways from August or September 2013, the country’s Minister of Communications, Yeh Kuang-shih, has revealed. People driving along north-south freeways will get 20km of toll-free distance before having to pay a fee. According to results of a survey carried out by the National Freeway Bureau (NFB), the 20km toll-free policy was supported by 40% of Taiwan's population. The ministry will soon be briefing parliament’s Transportation