Road Structures

Plans are proceeding on Paraguay’s project to construct the country’s new bi-oceanic corridor. The tender process to construct the 227km route from Carmelo Peralta to Loma Plata has attracted bids from four consortia. The four consortia are: China Machinery Industry Construction Group (Sinoconst); Consorcio Corredor Vial Bioceanico; Jose Cartellone Construcciones Civiles; and Consorcio Bioceanico. The project is expected to cost US$400 million.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport is to prioritise construction of the new North-South Expressway. The project will provide a much improved connection between the country’s north and south, speeding transport and boosting safety. It will feature from four to six lanes and have speed limits ranging between 80km/h and 120km/h. The cost of the project is expected to be US$13.75 billion, with 17 of the 20 work packages being carried out under the build-operate-transfer model.

Revisions are being put forward for the ring road project around Czech capital Prague. An alternative route has been proposed and this has received initial approvals, so that further analysis of the plans can be carried out. The 10km stretch of ring road will now cost around €1.53 billion, a reduction of around 33% from the original alignment. The project for the new route will include the construction of a number of bridge sections and will be shorter than the first plan. A study will be carried out into t

Indonesia’s government has set an impressive 2018 budget of some US$30.72 billion to develop infrastructure in the country. The funding will be split between the Ministry of Public Housing and Works, the Ministry of Transportation and for the special allocation fund. The Indonesian Government is aiming to boost economic growth during 2018 through its infrastructure development programme.

Colombia is moving ahead steadily with its 4G road development scheme. According to the Colombian Chamber of Infrastructure (CCI), the Colombian Government has awarded 31 of the 4G projects to date. And of these 31 projects, 21 are being built at present with another eight in the process of securing financing. In all these 21 active projects and the eight close to commencement are worth a total of US$4.37 billion. The Colombian Government hopes that financing will be secured for a further two projects by th

The reinforced Chambon Tunnel in the southeast French Alps region will open on schedule by the end of the year. The tunnel, which carries the D1091, was partially reopened at the end of last year following a landslide in 2015 along the mountain through with the bore is located. Local media report that from the end of this month, the tunnel will be closed again for the final phase of lining work. The road connects Bourg d’Oisans and the Col du Lautaret and Col du Galibier.

A series of road projects is being awarded in Nepal. The announcements over the winning tenders for 13 projects is being made in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu. Financing worth US$300 million is being provided from Indian sources.

A mega project for infrastructure development has been proposed in Costa Rica. The plan would see new highway links, ports and rail lines being constructed. In all the proposal calls for US$16 billion of infrastructure work to be carried out. One of the main projects would be the construction of a new highway featuring five lanes in either direction to connect new ports at Parismina, Limon, and Santa Elena. New rail lines would also connect the ports. The proposal has originated with the Canal Seco de Costa