News

International ground stabilisation specialist, Tensar has successfully defended its TriAx product range against several Chinese patent infringements.The TriAx geogrid, patented in many countries around the world by Tensar for use in ground stabilisation, road, rail and other applications, has received many awards for innovation and has achieved considerable commercial success since its introduction a few years ago.

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has released the findings of their annual report on congestion at freight significant highway locations.

Mineral Products Association (MPA) results for the first quarter of 2012 indicate a substantial reduction in sales of aggregates, ready mixed concrete and asphalt, confirming new GDP figures showing that declining construction activity has triggered the UK’s latest recession. Compared with the same period of 2011, sales volumes of crushed rock and sand and gravel aggregates declined by 13% and 12% respectively in the first three months of 2012, and sales volumes of ready-mixed concrete and asphalt fell by 9

Strong demand in the German building construction and civil engineering sector and booming Polish transport infrastructure construction helped fuel a double-digit increase in Strabag revenue and earnings during the 2011 financial year. The Austrian construction firm’s earnings before tax and interest (EBIT) rose by 12% to US$442.81million (€334.78million), resulting in an unchanged EBIT margin of 2.4%. Meanwhile, Strabag’s revenue rose by 11% to $18.13billion (€13.71billion).

Liberty Electric Cars (LEC) has been chosen as one of the major partners of the Europe-based Delivery project, aiming to produce a pure ultra-efficient electric commercial vehicle. Chosen due to the firm’s extensive experience in electric commercial vehicle engineering and design, LEC’s team of experts played a crucial role in the development of the Modec truck, a range of 5.5tonne commercial vehicles that have been sold to a wide variety of customers across Europe. Operators of the truck include global com

A legal case is now underway in Algeria relating to the construction of the East-West highway as well as other infrastructure work in the country. Charges of money laundering, corruption and bribery have been placed against foreign companies from China, France, Italy, Japan and Switzerland, as well as against a number of Algerian businessmen and officials.

Major road investment is seeing a transformation of the network in Queenland, Australia. Further investment is waiting in the wings and the recent Connecting SEQ 2031 Transport Plan from the State Government of Queensland will see the construction of a primary arterial road linking North Lakes and Caboolture.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) intends to provide a US$277 million (€200 million) loan to the Northern Capital Highway consortium, which will build the central 11.5km section of St Petersburg’s Western High Speed Diameter (WHSD) route. The EBRD’s board of directors has said will consider the loan on 14th February 2012. The finance package is of note as Russian road projects have largely found funds from other sources so far. The Northern Capital Highway consortium estimates the

A series of stamps has been produced in Malaysia that focus on the innovative project to save capital Kuala Lumpur from both chronic traffic congestion and flooding during periods of high seasonal rainfall.

A research consortium headed by Daimler AG has claimed a breakthrough in the wireless exchange of information among vehicles and between vehicles and the traffic infrastructure. Following three years of intensive research work, Daimler is presenting the current status of the Sim project in Germany together with the involved project partners. It is also announcing the launch of what it claims is the largest field trial for car-to-x communication worldwide: from the spring of 2012, around 120 vehicles will be

The nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) look set to invest a healthy US$18 billion in road projects between 2011 and 2020. The road projects are expected to improve connections between Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE.

In India innovative infrastructure investment plans are being drawn up intended to help develop the country's highway network. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) plans to finance its road projects by issuing bonds.

KPMG, LLP is to advise Ohio on how best to use funds from the Ohio Turnpike to offset shrinking funds to maintain and expand the state's highways. This contract was awarded jointly by the Ohio Office of Budget and Management (OBM) and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).

Bosnia's highway company Autoceste Federacije BiH will invest ?500 million in the construction of the Corridor Vc road. The European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide a loan of ?166 million to part finance the project.