Road Structures

Tough tunneling challenge in Italy

May 25, 2016

New levels of efficiency and sophistication are being seen in the latest earthmoving machines coming to market - Mike Woof writes. The earthmoving equipment segment accounts for one of the largest parts of the total market for construction machines. All around the world excavators and articulated dumptrucks (ADTs) can be seen operating on construction sites. With a massive array of manufacturers offering these machines, it is no surprise that the segment is hotly contested. In developed markets firms are en

Motorists prefer 'no self-driving capability’, says survey

May 24, 2016

The latest report by Brandon Schoettle and Michael Sivak, Sustainable Worldwide Transportation at the University of Michigan, builds on their recent series of eight reports addressing public opinion, human factors, and safety-related issues concerning self-driving vehicles. An identical survey to that used in 2015 was administered. The survey was developed to examine motorists’ preferences among levels of vehicle automation, including preferences for interacting with and overall concern about riding in s

Funding for Belarus road project

May 18, 2016

Funding for a key project in Belarus could be supplied by the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Financing is required for the reconstruction of the M10 highway in Belarus, which runs from Kobrin through Gomel to the Russian border. The EBRD will consider options once the results of the tender have been revealed. The private sector looks likely to take part in the project, which is conceived as a PPP scheme, the first for Belarus. The project will be handled under the concession mode

India’s highways could be used as runways

May 18, 2016

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is suggesting that new highways could also be designed as backup runways for its air defence fleet. The first highway to be constructed so that it could also be used as a runway is likely to be the 302km Lucknow-Agra Expressway. This route will be operational by the end of 2016. The IAF has been working on plans to build emergency runways and has been developing solutions for mobile logistics support. It has also been researching suitable road sections and the minimum infrastr

Sweden’s plan for cutting roadkills

May 18, 2016

Sweden is planning to construct more wildlife crossings in a bid to reduce roadkills. The plans have been drawn up by the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) and call for €321.74 million to be spent on building new wildlife crossings, bridges and underpasses, as well as erecting more wildlife fencing. The aim is to tackle the country’s current rising number of roadkills. There are currently 3,000km of wildlife fences in Sweden. A survey by Trafikverket has shown that a combination of wildlife fe

Vietnam planning new highway link for Vung Ang and Ham Nghi in Ha Tinh

May 18, 2016

Vietnam is working on plans to develop a new highway in Ha Tinh. The proposal has been put forward by the Project Management Board Unit 85. The new highway would connect Vung Ang and Ham Nghi in Ha Tinh. A request has been lodged by the Project Management Board Unit 85 for funds worth US$232.56 million from build-operate-transfer investors and $94 million from State budget funds. Under the project, three additional bridges and 13 core bridges would be constructed. The project requires $299.64 million in

Nepal plans road transport development

May 17, 2016

The Nepalese Government is planning a major programme of road development for the next three years. The aim of the programme is to build new roads that will join up to 500 Village Development Committee (VDC) locations that are not linked at present to the road network. According to the guidelines of the Ministry of Local Development, the Department of Local Infrastructure Development (DoLIDAR) has set a target to connect every VDC in Nepal with motorable roads. This is no small challenge however as Nepal is

Advanced method for South Africa bridge construction

May 16, 2016

A sophisticated construction method has been used for the first time in South Africa for a suspended bridge project This novel method of bridge construction was used on a major road upgrade project for the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL). Main contractor Lonerock Construction, and subcontractor Tzandeboo Construction, used RMD Kwikform’s Megatruss system to construct a 60m-long bridge while suspended mid-air over the live N4 highway. Lonerock Construction’s US$8.5 million (R132

Advanced method for South Africa bridge construction

May 16, 2016

A sophisticated construction method has been used for the first time in South Africa for a suspended bridge project This novel method of bridge construction was used on a major road upgrade project for the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL). Main contractor Lonerock Construction, and subcontractor Tzandeboo Construction, used RMD Kwikform’s Megatruss system to construct a 60m-long bridge while suspended mid-air over the live N4 highway. Lonerock Construction’s US$8.5 million (R132

Upgrading Bolivia’s important Uyuni – Condo K Highway

May 16, 2016

Upgrading Bolivia’s Uyuni – Condo K route will help boost the country’s economy - Mauro Nogarin writes. The area of influence along the new Uyuni - Huarancani - Condo K road in Bolivia is of major importance to the country’s economy as it has great agricultural potential for quinoa. The highway is located in south-western Potosi and it has a cultivated area of 55,000ha, with an annual output of 13,154tonnes of quinoa. South-western Potosi is also one of the areas with the highest population of camelid lives