News

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is reported to be in talks with the sponsors of the A-66 Benavente-Zamora highway public private partnership (PPP) in Spain over a possible bond financing deal, which would see the Bank provide subordinated debt for an A-rated bond issue. The possible bond issue would be a further greenfield project to launch the European Union’s Project Bond 2020 initiative, with its initial pilot stage being managed by the EIB.

Manitou Group (MG) president Jean-Christophe Giroux says the Group will look to double its business in the next three to four years after revenue rose by 35% to US$1.13billion in 2011. Speaking on the publication of details of MG’s FY11 performance Giroux, who is also the French construction, industry and agricultural machinery manufacturers chief executive, said: “We want to take advantage of all growth opportunities in a developing yet fragmented market and double our business over the next 3-4 year, t

Dutch surveying company Geomaat is capturing millimetre accurate measurements in record times to support a range of highway design, construction and maintenance projects. Using the mobile laser mapping system StreetMapper, and specially developed point cloud software, the company can calculate very accurate cutting, milling and asphalt figures, create as built models and undertake change detection. “In the past, these types of measurement were undertaken using total stations which was time consuming, and

Clearview Traffic Group has secured a contract for the installation and maintenance of automatic traffic monitoring equipment on behalf of Transport for London (TfL). As part of the contract, the company will install a number of additional automatic traffic counter (ATC) sites, as well as continue to maintain and repair nearly 200 existing ATC sites in and around the city of London to ensure there is a continued supply of acceptable traffic count data. The sites include equipment, ancillary devices and serv

A new 1km long tunnel is being planned to help reduce congestion in Skopje, capital of Macedonia. The tunnel will be built by Turkish contractor Limak. The contractor will also build its own commercial development above the tunnel as part of the agreement. The cost of the tunnel project is not available at this point.

AECOM’s UK transport team has been selected to develop a masterplan for the Romanian national transport system. An assessment of the short, medium and long-term outlook for the country’s transport system will form part of the masterplan. It will also contain sustainability-conscious infrastructure and policy recommendations for all transport modes, including road, rail, air, Constanta Port and navigation of the Danube River.

Renault Trucks’ Tridem 8x4*4 is designed for carrying heavy loads in restricted spaces and is also suitable for mounting mobile cranes or vacuum units. Based on a lightweight Lander 6x4 chassis, the Tridem has an additional 10tonne rated rear steering tag axle giving it a turning circle some 10 to 15% tighter than a traditional 8x4 (depending on the wheelbase). Once back on the road the driver can, depending on the load being carried, raise the rear axle to increase fuel economy.

Renault Trucks’ Tridem 8x4*4 is designed for carrying heavy loads in restricted spaces and is also suitable for mounting mobile cranes or vacuum units. Based on a lightweight Lander 6x4 chassis, the Tridem has an additional 10tonne rated rear steering tag axle giving it a turning circle some 10 to 15% tighter than a traditional 8x4 (depending on the wheelbase). Once back on the road the driver can, depending on the load being carried, raise the rear axle to increase fuel economy.

The authorities in Costa Rica are transferring the concession for the San Hose-San Ramon highway. The Brazilian firm OAS is taking over the contract from Autopistas del Valle. The National Concessions Agency (CNC) has said that the contract will be similar to the original deal, although some additional works may be added. Extra projects are likely to include a four lane highway between Belen-Santa Ana as well as a new bridge over the Virilla River. In the 2006-2012 period, the cost of the project soared fro

The Brussels capital region of Belgium has laid out a series of proposals to develop its transport networks over the next 15 years. The new plans will respect the aims of the Iris 2 plan concerning movement within the region. Pathways for pedestrians and cyclists will be improved and the city of Brussels will support the STIB public transport services to increase public transport links out of the capital. Other projects include a car park off the A12 in Heysel, alterations to the flow of traffic in t