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Austrian firm Strabag claims to be Central and Eastern Europe’s largest construction company and has announced steady financial performance for 2012. “At €14 billion, our output volume has remained stable versus the €14.3 billion in the previous year: In Poland, we have registered declines due to the end of the construction boom, which, however, we were able to compensate with growth in Germany and transportation infrastructures projects in Romania. Germany is currently a successful market for us, also as r

Steady financial performance is claimed for the German equipment producers in 2012, according to the manufacturing association VDMA. The German construction equipment and building material machinery industry generated €12.5 billion in turnover during 2012 according to the latest results. Of this, construction equipment accounted for €7.9 billion, while €4.6 billion of business came from the building material, glass and ceramics machinery sector. This is a nominal decrease of around 1% compared to 2011. Afte

Car manufacturer Audi is said to be focussing its research on more environmentally friendly vehicles on new hybrid development. The company has opted to concentrate on hybrids, including plug-in types, rather than electric versions of its A2 model. The company’s R8 electric concept vehicle will also not be developed further for the time being at least.

Academic research by two UK universities shows that patch repairs on potholes could be far more durable if a few simple techniques were consistently used. An initial study - undertaken by Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham in central England– found that the application of a coat of bitumen emulsion between two layers of asphalt in a clean, dry repair, greatly improved its resistance to further cracks. It was also confirmed that a hot mix repair – in which asphalt is heated to 140°C

Tanzania’s Ministry of Works has opened a key road project to bidding for expressions of interest. The 100km route from capital Dar es Salaam to Chalinze is to be upgraded to a tolled expressway. The upgraded road will feature three lanes in either direction and the project includes the construction of a number of overpasses and intersections along the route, as well as cuttings and toll plazas. The work is expected to take three years to complete and is being handled by the Tanzania National Roads Agency (

The RADOR association, the leading organisation for advocating, planning, financing, building and maintaining roads in Russia’s regions, estimates the country’s North-Western Federal District needs US$5.367 billion (RUB 161.8bn) for road network repair and maintenance every year. RADOR says that around 19.7% of required funding was provided for regional road maintenance in 2012, along with 41.4% of funding for road repairs, and 6.3% of funding for road overhaul. The Leningrad region received 25% (RUB 5.1bn)

AA Insurance in the UK says the number of insurance claims from motorists who have damaged cars as a result of potholes has more than doubled over the last year. An estimated 1,000 cars have been seriously damaged by potholes over the past four weeks, according to the leading broker. Tyre damage was reported by all motorists who made a claim, while one in five of those making a claim also suffered damage to wheels. Motorists also reported damage to bodywork, steering and suspension.