Road Structures

Progress is being made in the Czech Republic on two key urban tunnel projects. In capital Prague, the Czech contractor Metrostave has now completed the drilling portion of the Letna section of the Blanka road tunnel. Local residents have complained about the noise, vibration and cracks in their properties that they say have been generated by the drilling and blasting work. The project looks as though its completion date will be later than first planned however.

Overall, Russia is to benefit from a major highway investment programme. The Federal Transport Development Programme will feature a budget of $21.5 billion for the 2010-2015 period. Some $15.1 billion is to be allocated for highway construction and repairs. Russian city St Petersburg and the surrounding the Leningrad region will see the start of major investment in infrastructure during 2011. The road sector will benefit strongly, with projects underway including the southern section of the Western High Spe

The Italian island of Sicily is to benefit from major investment in its road network, in a move designed to help boost its economy.

Austrian contractor STRABAG is to upgrade Romania's national roads DN14 and DN15A in deals worth a total of some €106 million.

Brazil's Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DNIT) plans to invest close to US$3.5 billion in repairing bridges in the country.

China's investment in landmark infrastructure projects continues with the announcement of plans for a 50km expressway as well as a bridge spanning the Pearl River.

Chinese firms may play a role in the ?1.5 billion A6/A9 highway project in the Netherlands.

Plans are now being set out for a ring road project for German capital Berlin.

Political controversy is looming with the revelation that Romania's National Road Company (CNADNR) has spent some €1.5 billion on upgrading 2,800 km of roads since 2004.

A report into the state of Latvia's bridges shows that one in three in the country requires major works, with 100 structures in such poor condition they need immediate repair.