Road Structures

A solution seems to have been found for Colombia’s long-running La Linea Tunnel project. Work has been delayed on the tunnel for a number of reasons and on a number of occasions, most recently due to funding issues. But previous delays were due to such diverse causes as technical challenges posed by the difficult conditions and a lack of suitable insurance cover. The Colombian Government has come to an agreement with the Segundo Centenario consortium building the tunnel that will see construction activity r

Work is nearing completion on Nigeria’s important East-West road project. The new dual carriageway link should be ready to carry traffic in a matter of months. In all the project was originally expected to cost in the order of US$1.93 billion to construct and work commenced back in 2006. However an additional stretch may now be added that will extend the route. This project is of significance as it improves transport links to the South East of Nigeria, an area of the country that has long been overlooked fo

A series of separate works will help improve traffic flow in and around Russia’s capital, Moscow. Construction work has commenced on three tunnels as well as an overpass, with this activity forming part of the planned improvement of the Kaluzhskoe Highway. The work is being carried out by contractor Arks. The work involves widening the highway so that it will feature, and in some places five, lanes in either direction. The contractor is also constructing emergency lanes, 28 km of storm drains and improving

Panama looks set for a major development programme for its road network. The country’s Ministry of Public Works (MOP) has plan for some US$2.95 billion of road development projects over the next five years. One of the key projects will be to upgrade the Howard-Puente Centenario road. Other important projects being prioritised include the construction of new access roads to the Tocumen international airport's cargo terminal as well as new road links that will help boost logistics.

North Dakota in the US is to benefit from major investment in infrastructure following political progress at state level. In all around US$1.1 billion of fast-track funding will be available for infrastructure investment in the state. Of this around $450 million will be targeted towards state highway projects, so as to boost transportation and connectivity.

Work is progressing to plan for the construction of a new tunnel in Turkey. The new Ilgaz Mountain Tunnel should be completed by the end of 2015. This new link will help cut journey times for drivers. The construction of the Ilgaz Mountain Tunnel will reduce the travel distance along the existing route by some 5.4km. Construction work on the tunnel commenced in 2012 and the link will be one of the longest in Turkey when it is complete.

Costs have climbed for construction work on a highway connection in Ecuador. The highway project is now expected to cost in excess of US$100 million to build. The widening work for the 42km stretch connecting Cuenca and Biblian being carried out by contractor Hidalgo & Hidalgo has climbed to over $100 million, compared with the $72 million planned originally. The climbing construction cost can be connected to the need for unplanned additional activities on the project. This additional work has also meant th

The tender process is now underway in Colombia for a new motorway that will connect Bucaramanga, Barrancabermeja and Yondo. The 152km motorway link will be a complex project to construct, combining the motorway, two tunnel sections and 22 bridges in all. The complexity of the project has pegged its estimated cost at some US$644.4 million. The tender process has been set up by the country's National Agency for Infrastructure (ANI). The deadline for offers is the 29th May 2015, while the winner will be announ

Major plans for infrastructure investment have been set out by the authorities in China’s Gansu Province. In all some US$79.9 billion is planned to be spent over the next six years. One of the key aims of this infrastructure programme is to improve China’s transport links with Central Asia. In all the programme of works calls for the construction of 60,000km of roads, including 4,070km of expressways. There are also plans to improve 12 commercial airports in Gansu Province. The sources of funding required f