Road Structures

The significance of this year’s Bauma China exhibition in Shanghai has been highlighted by new figures showing that China invested US$220.27 billion (RMB 1.346 trillion) in civil engineering and infrastructure projects in the first six months of 2013 – with the National Bureau of Statistics of China claiming a year-on-year increase of more than 21%. The largest share of H1 2013 investment went into road-building, with Bernd Schaaf of Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), Germany’s economic development agency, rep

In Brazil plans are being set out for a new tunnel that would connect the coastal cities of Santos and Guarujá. The project is estimated to cost some US$803 million to construct, according to a report by Business News Americas. The tunnel would by 1.7km long, carry six lanes of traffic and be at an estimated depth of 35m. A process for pre-qualification for those firms showing an interest in the project has been started. This is being handled by the São Paulo state highway company Dersa, which states that o

The authorities in Russia and the Ukraine are making plans for a new transport link via the Kerch Strait. At this early stage of the planning process, both bridge and tunnel options are being considered. This new bridge or tunnel connection would allow drivers to travel between Crimea and Kuban (South) and improve transport connections and trade, reinforcing the strong economic links that exist between Russia and the Ukraine. The authorities are now setting out feasibility studies, the results of which will

The authorities in Brazil have awarded an important tollroad package for the BR-163 Federal Highway. This route runs through Brazil's mid-western state of Mato Grosso do Sul and the 30 year concession for the 847km of highway was won by tollroad firm CCR, according to Business News Americas. The concession package is worth some US$2.78 billion and was awarded on the basis of the low toll charges CCR will introduce on the route. The project requires widening the road along a 130km stretch within 12 months of

Strong bids have been received for Chile’s Puente Industrial road bridge project, which will be built in Region VIII. Bidders included Spanish firm OHL as well as Besalco Concesiones-Concesiones Viarias Chile Tres and Sacyr Concesiones Chile. Work on the 2.5km bridge is expected to commence in 2014 and the project will cost some US$170 million to construct, with completion expected in 2017. The deal for the four lane bridge includes building access roads and involves a 30 year concession package. The Puente

A total of 29 transport projects costing a combined US$7.42 billion, including the Phan Thiet-Nha Trang road, will be carried out in Vietnam from 2013 until 2016, according to the country’s Ministry of Transport. Of the 29 projects, 18 projects worth $2.34 billion collectively were due to be commissioned by the end of 2013. The ministry has said that the projects are supported by the government of Japan through $6 billion of ODA funds, including around $774.59 million for 2013. The Quang Ngai-Danang and D

A consortium is now working on the construction of one stretch of Slovakia’s D1 highway. The section lies between Hričovské Podhradie and Lietavská Lúčka and the project is worth €427 million. The consortium comprises four companies; with Doprastav, Váhostav and STRABAG all holding equal 32% stakes of the contract and Metrostav having a minority 4% share. The work being carried out by Doprastav, Váhostav and STRABAG is equivalent to some €140 million each. The construction work is expected to take 48 months

A successful explosive demolition has been carried out of the Hurricane Deck Bridge in the US state of Missouri. The Hurricane Deck Bridge carried Missouri Route 5 over Lake of the Ozarks and measured 695m long. The structure was no longer able to cope with the traffic volumes it was carrying and the Missouri Department of Transport (MODOT) opted to build a new delta frame bridge to replace it. Work started on the new bridge in 2012 and this was opened to traffic in September 2013. The steel span Hurricane

Guatemala’s Ministry of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing is seeking international loans of US$920 million to transform three national road sections into fast motorways. The loans could be obtained at some stage in 2014. One negotiated with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), of $280 million for the widening of CA-2 Oriente motorway to a four-lane motorway, is reportedly at its final stage. The bank has given its approval already and it is only the Monetary Council that has