Road Structures

Mordovia road construction and rebuilding planned

April 14, 2015

The Republic of Mordovia has plans to construct and rebuild some 100km of roads. With this plan in mind, the government has set a budget of US$102 million to invest in its transport system during 2015. The plans include work to the eastern bypass around capital, Saransk. Additional funds will be allocated for the development of internal road network and improvement of settlements. The project forms part of the preparation in hand for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Three new highways planned for Thailand

April 14, 2015

In Thailand, official approval has been given for three new highways to connect major cities. The three new highways will cost an estimated US$4.92 billion in all to construct. The project to construct the Bang Yai-Ban Pong-Kanchanaburi highway will cost $1.71 billion and the work is due for completion in 36 months. Construction of the Pattaya-Map Ta Phut highway is expected to be complete in around 30 months and is costing $621 million. The Bang Pa-in via Saraburi to Nakhon Ratchasima highway meanwhile is

Chinese contractor AFECC starts second Pungue bridge in Mozambique

April 10, 2015

Construction has started of a second bridge over the River Pungue as part of the project to upgrade Mozambique’s Beira-Zimbabwe road. The bridge will link the districts of Dondo and Nhamatanda in the central of Mozambican province of Sofala. Construction of the two-lane 250m-long bridge was awarded to Chinese contractor Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Corporation (AFECC), according to a report by the daily newspaper Notícias. Anhui will also upgrade 288km of road between the port of Beira and the tow

Atlas Copco introduces three powerful hydraulic breakers

April 10, 2015

Atlas Copco has boosted its breaker range with the addition of three new models. These breakers form part of the essential case-mounted (EC) range and are designed to fit 22- 49tonne carriers. The heavy range breakers are the EC 140 T, EC 150 T and EC 155 T. As with other models in this range, the new units are said to offer fast return on investment due to factors such as simplifed maintenance and operation. The firm claims that these EC breakers generate powerful forces inside a compact body while bein

“Structurally deficient” US bridges need warning signs, says ARTBA

April 10, 2015

A US construction sector group wants warning signs to be posted on bridges designated “structurally deficient" and in need of repair by state engineers. More than 61,000 structurally deficient bridges remain in need of significant repair, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), which analysed the US Department of Transport’s National Bridge Inventory database. However, by the end of 2014 there were more than 2,000 fewer structurally deficient structures than in 20

Tunnel project of Chilean capital Santiago

April 8, 2015

Tunnel construction in Chilean capital Santiago will help cut chronic congestion – Mauro Nogarin & Mike Woof write. Chile’s capital Santiago is a thriving city having benefited from the country’s economy growing strongly in recent years. The massive copper mining sector has helped boost the country’s GDP significantly in the past few decades, also aided by the growing international reputation of Chile’s large wine industry. The steady economic growth has resulted in an equally steady growth in average incom

San Francisco’s Bay Bridge eastern span S Curve bows out

April 2, 2015

The S Curve section of the old San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is the latest piece of the iconic cantilever crossing of San Francisco Bay to meet its maker. It has been professionally videoed by San Francisco’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission and is available on the website of the local newspaper Easy Bay Express. A sweeping new Bay Bridge has been built right beside the old crossing which is being dismantled in sections and phases.

Kenya plans to privatise road repairs and maintenance

March 25, 2015

The Kenyan Government is opting to privatise the construction and maintenance of several of its major highways. This change in policy will be introduced over the next two years. The main reason for the switch is that country has an annual infrastructure financing gap of some US$22 billion. The lack of funds available has meant that the Kenyan Government has only been able to allocate a mere $22 million/year for road maintenance. In addition to that, the government will at pave least 10,000km of roads over n

Spanish road improvements for Valencia Region

March 25, 2015

Spain's Ministry for Works, has announced plans for €670 million worth of road works to be carried out in the Valencia Region. Of this sum, over €265 million will be spent in Alicante Province. The programme of works will develop the road network in the region, strengthening its economic potential and improving the lives of its residents. The first stretch of the Ronda Sur road project has already been opened, which will improve connections between Alicante and the region of Murcia.

Agreement on Pakistan-China route

March 24, 2015

A key agreement has been reached between the Pakistan Government and the Chinese Government with regard to the new route linking the two countries. The two governments have agreed on the need to speed up work to construct the Pak-China Economic Corridor (PCEC). This major road project looks likely to cost as much as USD45.6 billion. Both countries intend to complete the majority of the work needed within five years. The joint cooperation committee for PCEC will run more meetings to discuss the project and t