News

Authorities in Algeria have given the go-ahead for work on the 14km motorway link connecting the port in Oran to the East-West Highway. Algerian company Engeoa and a Japanese partner are reportedly set to be entrusted with creating the infrastructure. The project is estimated to cost close to US$ 252.22 million (DZD 20bn), not including lighting, ventilation equipment, signalising systems and CCTV in tunnels. The new motorway link means journey time between the Port of Oran and the East-West Highway will be

Data revealed by the Indonesian Government highlights a high annual death toll on the country’s roads. Around 4,000 people/year die in road crashes in Indonesia, while the figures for those seriously injured are higher still. Three major factors have been highlighted as the major causes. The country suffers from a lack of traffic and transportation law enforcement. There is also a lack of traffic understanding, while Indonesia has serious traffic management problems.

Poland’s Ministry of Transport plans to invest heavily in road projects from 2014-2020. The Polish road authority, GDDKiA, will invest €16.91 billion in new roads. A key project will be for the section of the Berlin-Lisbon A2 highway that runs through Poland. This will run through Zakret near Warsaw and connect to the Minsk Mazowiecki ring road and is expected to cost close to €1.7 billion. Meanwhile the A1 highway linking Pyrzowice and Tuszyn will cost in excess of €1.8 billion. GDDKiA is also planning to

Construction activity is commencing on a key highway link in Morocco. Preparation work for the El Jadida-Safi motorway has been underway since September 2012. This new highway will stretch 143km and will connect El Jadida to Jorf Lasfar, Sidi Smail, Sidi Bennour, Oualidia and finally Safi. The work is being split into four sections. The project is expected to cost US$632.5 million and will be financed in part by the European Investment Bank, which has agreed to invest close to $326 million. The Arab Fund fo

In China, 80,000km of new roads are planned to be constructed in 2013 as part of a huge investment in new transport infrastructure. During 2012, 58,672km of roads, including 9,910 km of highways, were constructed in the country.

Kiratpur Ner Chowk Expressway has given IL&FS Engineering Services (IL&FS) a letter of intent (LoI) for an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract in India worth US$263.9 million (INR 14.36bn). Under the deal, IL&FS will undertake a scope of work including minor bridges, five tunnels, 18 major bridges, toll plazas, 67.3km of road work and related infrastructure. The expressway project includes the EPC contract as well as expanding the Kiratpur Ner Chowk section of the National Highway 21 in

The real value of highway construction climbed 4.3% in January 2013 compared to January 2012. This is according to the latest analysis of US Census Bureau data by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). “Weather is the driving force behind the value of transportation work in January, which can be volatile,” said ARTBA Chief Economist Dr Alison Premo Black. “With warmer than average temperatures across the country, many contractors were able to get more work done on transportation p

The Government of Spain is negotiating the nationalisation of nine reportedly loss-making motorways currently managed by private companies. The motorways in question are managed by firms including Abertis, ACS, Ferrovial, Sacyr, Globalvia, Isolux, Comsa and Azvi. The Government's plan is to launch a new state-owned motorway operator mirroring former operator ENA, and for this company to refinance the assets that are nationalised.

A borrowing plan of US$67.29 billion (THB 2tn) for new transport infrastructure projects has been presented to Thailand's parliament. Out of the total borrowing, $8.16 billion (THB 243bn) is earmarked for road development, and a further $409.36 million (THB 12.19bn) for road checkpoint development. Main transport projects include four high-speed rail route, ten mass transit projects and dual track railways. A bill cementing the borrowing plan is set to be presented to the parliament by the end of March 2013

Dutch technology company TKH has developed a new technology enabling parking garage owners to charge more for vehicles which do not fit in one parking space. Cameras at the entrance recognise car registration plates and vehicle size. Parking garage owners can then choose to charge a higher rate, or direct individual vehicles to certain parking bays. Cars which fail to follow instructions, or use two parking bays, can then be charged accordingly at the exit.

A new safety campaign in the UK is commencing that is focussing on car drivers. These drivers are being urged to visualise the motorcycle rider and take more care at junctions. This campaign has been timed to coincide with the anticipated increase in the numbers of motorcyclists returning to the roads during the second quarter of 2013. This campaign encourages drivers to take longer to look for motorcyclists and think about the biker, not just the bike. Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond said, “Motorcycli