News

With filling stations now selling foodstuffs, this can attract unwanted attention. (photo courtesy of World Highways reader Bogdan Schiteanu).

With filling stations now selling foodstuffs, this can attract unwanted attention. (photo courtesy of World Highways reader Bogdan Schiteanu).

APPROVAL HAS now been given for work to go ahead on a key section of Slovakia’s D1 highway. The work had been delayed as the European Commission (EC) was concerned over environmental issues facing sections of the route that passed through a nature reserve. The EC has now given its approval for construction of the highway between Martin and Presov on conditional terms. The EC says that the sections in zones belonging to the Natura 2000 network can be built once terms are agreed with the Slovak government o

THE CONSTRUCTION of the crossing for the A15 highway near Arnhem in the Netherlands now looks likely to cost up to €1 billion. It is required to reduce traffic density on surrounding minor roads and improve connections through to neighbouring Germany. The project was originally estimated to cost €750 million, of which the regional partners are to pay €112.5 million. A further €262.5 million is to be raised from tolls. However, this budget does not provide for the option, which includes a tunnel under the Pa

A new joint-venture has been established between Russian Machines and Terex Roadbuilding. Under the terms of the deal, the partners will manufacture construction and roadbuilding equipment in Russia. The equipment being built, marketed and sold by the joint venture will include a number of Terex products as well as the entire range from Russian Machines. In addition, a number of products built by Terex will be marketed in Russia. This move follows an announcement of plans to form a joint venture in late 201

The European Transport Safety Commission’s (ETSC) 16th Road Safety Report measures progress made in EU countries since 2001 in tackling excessive speed, drink-driving and non-use of seat belts (the three biggest causes of road fatalities). It is published as the EU discusses priorities for the forthcoming Road Safety Action Programme for the next ten years. Available data shows that drivers have slowed down since 2001. Best progress has been made on highways (only up to 30% of drivers now exceed the speed l

The UK’s new government is investigating its transportation options with regards to raising capital to help offset its budget deficit. One of the plans being put forward is the potential sale of trunk roads and highways to the private sector. Under the proposed scheme drivers would be able to use existing roads without tolls. However, the private sector owners would then charge the UK government a sum based on traffic volumes over a given period.

Clearview Traffic has been recognised in the Best Green Companies Awards for its ecological approach and work towards helping local authorities meet their environmental targets. The award, presented by the Sunday Times, sets out to identify and celebrate the achievements of the top 60 British businesses that are striving to improve environmental performance. According to the group, the accolade is in recognition of the work undertaken by Clearview Traffic in improving both its own environmental standards an

THE NEW highway network currently being built in the Czech Republic will be completed in 2025, five years later than the original planned completion date of 2020. The country’s Transport Ministry has said that €19.55 billion will be needed to extend the total length of the network from the current 1,113km to 2,153km. However,it has pointed out that a new system of funding will be required or there will be a shortfall to pay for the plans by 2020.Various options are being considered at present with bond issu

M&T Expo 2012, the 8th International Exhibition of Construction Equipment and 6th International Exhibition of Mining Equipment, has opened in São Paulo, Brazil’s biggest city. It is the largest trade show for the construction and mining industries in Latin America. According to M&T Expo promoter Sobrameta (the Brazilian Association of Technology for Equipment and Maintenance) the prevailing tone at the opening ceremony was one of optimism among the leaders in the two segments of industry. Sobratema is expe

Topcon Europe Positioning says that Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS, Livermore, California, USA) has acquired InlandGEO, one of Topcon’s top performing distributors. InlandGEO is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, and has four additional offices in Spain, two in Portugal and one in the Canary Islands. In addition to continuing to distribute Topcon and Sokkia positioning products to the construction and survey markets in Spain and Portugal, InlandGEO will become the headquarters for distribution and support fo

A LEGAL dispute is now underway in Russia over the St Petersburg ring road project. Construction company Flora was awarded a €187.6 million contract for an 11km section of the ring road in 2008, winning the tender by making the lowest bid. However, the Russian authorities have taken the contract for this section of the ring road away from Flora claiming it did not meet set targets. Flora is disputing the loss of the contract with the authorities.