News

The annual national survey of UK local road network condition and funding claims there is a crumbling road crisis of increasing concern, prompting renewed calls for increased and longer term Government funding. Commissioned by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), the 18th Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) Survey was completed by 75% of councils across England and Wales and reports that the number of potholes filled over the last year rose to over two million - an increase of 29% on the previou

Vietnam’s Government is proposing novel measures to control traffic volumes across the country. The first of these is an allocation of 16%-26% of urban areas for the setup of new traffic infrastructure. Another measure is a proposal to limit the number of registered vehicles on the country’s roads. This would result in a limit of around 3.5 million trucks, buses and cars, as well as 36 million motorcycles by 2020. The limits would allow for growth in the vehicle population, which is expected to continue as

The European Federation of construction contractors (FIEC) is pressing Europe’s members of parliament to vote for infrastructure investment. The European Parliament is to decide on the Multi-annual Financial Framework, which forms part of the EU’s Multi-Annual Financial Framework and the FIEC is insisting that infrastructure investment will provide much-needed jobs and help kick-start economic activity. FIEC president Thomas Schleicher said, “Clearly, the realisation of infrastructure projects, saving energ

AECOM Technology Corporation, the globally renowned provider of professional technical and management support services for public and private clients, is part of a joint venture that has been awarded an eight-year highways contract worth up to US$500 million (£334.87mn) by Transport for London (TfL). Working alongside FM Conway, AECOM will provide design and engineering services for one of the four new area-based highway contracts under the London Highways Alliance Contract. The contract includes work in th

The new video interview of research for the international 2 Be Safe project on motorcycle safety highlights key steps that can be made with regard to reducing accident risks. The 2 Be Safe project has set out key guidelines to administrators wishing to cut accidents for motorcyclists. The main main objective of this project has been to target behavioural and ergonomics research to develop countermeasures for enhancing Powered Two Wheeler (PTW), riders safety, including research on crash causes and human err

Italian firm Simex has developed a versatile tool for use in tunnel excavation applications. This proven piece of equipment has been used to help construct a key tunnel link in Italy, close to the border with Switzerland. Work on the Varzo Tunnel has been carried out by Italian contractor Ceprini Costruzioni (CC).

Italian firm Simex has developed a versatile tool for use in tunnel excavation applications. This proven piece of equipment has been used to help construct a key tunnel link in Italy, close to the border with Switzerland. Work on the Varzo Tunnel has been carried out by Italian contractor Ceprini Costruzioni (CC).

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC, a prominent international group in the manufacture and supply of infrastructure products and galvanising services to global markets, achieved 8.5% revenue growth to US$657.16 million (£440.7mn) in the calendar year 2012, compared to $605.72 million (£406.2mn) the previous 12 months. The Group’s underlying profit before tax was also up 8% to $60.24 million (£40.4mn), from $55.77 million (£37.4mn) in 2011. Just over three quarters – 76% - of profits were generated last year from ov

Italy’s public road concession firm, ANAS, has signed an agreement with the region of Sardinia and the government for upgrade works on the Sassari-Olbia road worth a total €930.7 million.

Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development has announced plans to develop over 3,500km of highways in the country. Funding is being provided by some US$570 million worth of bonds sold in the country during February 2013. Key highway links have been set out for construction, along with upgraded to existing road links.

Work on Indonesia’s landmark Trans-Sumatera Toll highway is set to commence in 2013. The contractor Hutama Karya has been awarded the deal to carry out the project. There will be a total 24 toll roads to be constructed on the route by the state-owned construction firm. Meanwhile Indonesia’s Ministry of Public Works has projected that overseas funding for its infrastructure projects in 2014 will be nearly US$784 million, similar to the figure set for 2013. Projects for funding in 2014 include several communi