Search

A Chinese contractor is carrying out a major road project intended to cut congestion in Kenyan capital Nairobi – Shem Oirere writes Chinese contractor China Wu Yi has won a US$163 million contract for the reconstruction and expansion of a 25km highway leading out of Kenya’s capital Nairobi with financing from the World Bank. The contract was awarded by the country’s National Highways Authority (KeNHA), a state-owned road agency responsible for the management, development, rehabilitation and maintenance of i

Asphalt production is a complex process featuring many variables - Mike Varner, chief engineer at Astec Inc discussed methods with Mike Woof Asphalt production in a black art in more ways than one. It involves a complex process of mixing bitumen with aggregates under temperature and optimising this operation is crucial to maximise quality. But with so many variables, determining exactly what is going on inside an asphalt plant involves extensive research, sophisticated computer modelling and the use of a

Tunnelling technology is seeing major developments that will boost construction efficiency - Mike Woof writes Both in tunnel drilling and TBM systems, new machines are now being built that offer major gains in performance. Sandvik is introducing a number of major new models developments to its tunnelling drill range. Three new tunnelling jumbos are now available that suit different drilling requirements, the DD422iE, DT912D and DT922i. The firm says that its advanced DD422iE rig offers major advantage

Bolivia’s ambitious Santa Cruz road corridor connector project is providing an important link for the country - Gordon Feller writes The World Bank has been organising a US$230 million loan to upgrade a vital connector linking the country’s northern and southern transit corridors. Meanwhile, another $100 million is coming from Bolivia’s government.

A new tunnel between Chile and Argentina will boost trade and transport between the two countries - Mauro Nogarin writes The international Tunnel Paso Las Leñas will stretch 11.5km at 2,050m above sea level through the Andes. Once complete, it will greatly improve the connectivity and integration between the Chilean O'Higgins region with the Argentine Mendoza region.

It is not only the scale of the Tuen Mun to Chek Lap Kok tunnel that impressed delegates but the number of novel technologies that Dragages Hong Kong, a Bouygues Construction subsidiary, is employing on this project. The 4.6 km tunnel running 60m below sea level is part of a strategic new route linking Hong Kong’s airport on Lantau Island and the New Territories. Dragage’s contract includes reclamation of 16.5-hectares at the tunnel’s north end to accommodate the north portal and a ventilation building. Wo

Truly innovative is Roadtec’s Shuttle Buggy material transfer vehicle. John Irvine, President of Roadtec, explains how and why the ‘Buggy’ changed the game of asphalt paving Road paving technology changed dramatically in the 1930s when the American inventor Harry Barber unveiled the very first asphalt paver. Barber was what we today would call a “game-changer”. Innovations like Barber’s don’t come around often. In fact, decades can pass until another breakthrough product pushes the productivity and q

As far as 99% of any city’s population is concerned, street lights are just, well, there. But big changes are taking place, as explained by lighting systems provider Philips Lighting. Street lighting has been with us for more than a century. With the exception of the early 20th century switchover from gas to electricity and the recent most important invention of LEDs, there have been few obvious changes.

Autonomous vehicles that can move around without human intervention are not yet a part of everyday life, but they are almost within reach.

Situated on India’s northern frontier, the state of Jammu and Kashmir is world-renowned for its aesthetic vistas and captivating landscapes. The arterial roads connecting the city of Jammu to that of Srinagar is a challenge to maintain, being constantly exposed to harsh weather and overburdened with vehicular movement. Leica Geosystems has been involved in the Chenani-Nashri tunnel project, India’s longest road tunnel and which will be part of an alternate route in the region