Road Structures

Construction is underway on the new highway connecting Peru’s second city, Arequipa, with Moqeugua. The project is costing US$125.5 million and is due for completion in 2020. The work is challenging, not the least because the route runs through a mountainous area. The existing road features many switchbacks and particularly in Omate District, which can pose hazards for drivers in poor weather. The new highway aims to boost both safety and capacity, reducing dangers for users as well as cutting journey times

India’s Uttar Pradesh State has awarded a consultancy contract for two expressway projects. The two new routes are for the 150km Prayag Link Expressway and the 88.5km Gorakhpur Link Expressway. The consultancy contract will be carried out by KITCO, a state-owned company. Both expressways are to be built with two lanes in either direction, although the designs of both will allow for an additional lane in either direction at a later point in time if required by traffic demand.

Work is now starting on a new highway widening project in Azerbaijan.

The European Union has sanctioned more Russian companies involved in the construction of the Kerch Strait Bridge linking Russia with the Crimean Peninsula. Newly placed on the list – now 44 companies in all – are the three firms PJSC Mostotrest, SGM and Stroygazmontazh Most OOO controlled by billionaire Arkady Rotenberg, a close friend of Russian president Vladimir Putin. Others are construction firm CJSC VAD, engineering firm GPSM and the Zaliv Shipyard. Russia seized the Crimea region from the Ukrai

Singapore’s Land Transport Authority has awarded a design-build contract for a stretch of the North-South Corridor to Japanese firm Penta-Ocean Construction and Bachy Soletanche Singapore. Construction on the 1km tunnel between Suffolk Walk and Novena Rise, estimated to be worth around US$584 million, will start by the first quarter of 2019, according to a statement by the Authority. Works by the joint venture will include an underground pedestrian network, pedestrian overhead bridges, bus stops, shel

New tunnel projects planned to be built in Sydney will help to reduce travel times for commuters. The work is expected to cost US$10.36 billion (A$14 billion) in all. Construction work will commence in 2020 and will take until 2026 to be completed if the planned schedule is adhered to. The new tunnels will help to reduce journey times to and from the central business district as well as from Sydney’s international airport.

Six new road corridor projects are being given the go-ahead in Argentina. These will be carried out under the PPP model, with the work expected to cost some US$12.5 billion during the first four years. One of the first road building projects to commence under the programme will be for the highway connecting Rosario with Rufino, National Route 33. The six road corridor projects are for the A, B, C, E, F and Sur routes.

Vietnam is expanding its road and highway network with a series of major projects, as well as numerous upgrades to rural roads. A funding deal worth US$1.6 billion is being provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the Ben Luc yo Long Thanh National Highway. This route connects Dong Nai, Ho Chi Minh City and Long An. A portion of the necessary funding for ground clearance for the route is being provided by Vietnam’s State Budget. However the country is stopping work on the National Highway 3 project