Road Structures

Researchers from the UK’s Lancaster University will design, fabricate and test systems that generate electricity using piezoelectricity and hydromechanical dynamics from passing vehicles. The electricity produced will be stored in roadside batteries to power street lamps, road signs and air pollution monitors in the town of Aylesbury. There will also be sensors that detect the formation of potholes, according to a statement from the university’s engineering department. In addition, the so-called smart

Russia is drawing up plans for bypasses around eight important cities. The construction work will commence in 2020. The cities are Nizhny Novgorod, Naberezhnye Chelny (both Volga), Ryazan, Ivanovo (both Central FD), Volgograd (South), Khasavyurt, Derbent, Vladikavkaz (all in North Caucasus). Some work has already been carried out for the Nizhny Novgorod bypass and the fourth phase of this particular project is expected to cost up to US$353 million.

The tender process will be opened for a new highway project in Chile in early 2020, with technical and economic bids due in the first quarter. The project aims to widen and upgrade the Route 5 stretch connecting the cities of Talca and Chillan in central Chile. The project is expected to cost US$796 million and the route will be offered under a concession package lasting 25 years. The route is run under a concession by ISA Intervial at present, which is due to cease in June 2020.

Lithuania highway rebuild project planned

A major new road construction project is being planned for the historic city of Jerusalem in Israel. The project is intended to cut chronic congestion that occurs at one of the approaches to the city at peak periods. The work will see the new Highway 16 being built at a cost of US$275.6 million. The new route will connect Route 1 with Givat Shaul and will feature three interchanges at Motza, Nahal Revida and Bait Junction. The stretch of road will include two tunnel sections and is expected to open to traff

A new bridge project is being planned in Ecuador.

Colombia’s road development programme has delivered a major extension to the country’s overall network during 2019. The country’s national road institute, (Invias), says that 65 projects have been delivered to date during 2019. In all Invias has spent more than US$989 million on road projects and upgraded 1,336km of roads and built 70km of new roads during 2019. A further 13 road links have been designed during 2019.