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The authorities in China are now acting on plans announced last year to build a proportion of the country's new highway network from concrete. The new 84km highway connecting Xingtai in Hebei and Fenyang in Shanxi will be constructed with a concrete surface. The project is due for completion in mid 2013 and is expected to cost some US$1.37 billion to construct. This development is of note as the country has built most of its most recently constructed highways using asphalt technology.

Work on the Myanmar section of the Stilwell Road will be carried out by Chinese contractor Yunnan Construction Engineering Group (YCEG). The deal is worth some US$498 million and the project is for a 375km stretch of highway. YCEG will carry out the project in partnership with the Yuzana Group. The deal is of note as it will improve Myanmar's international links with its neighbours.

Plans are in hand to upgrade the Bayonne Bridge in the USA. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey intends to raise the central span of the bridge from its current height of 46-65.5m. The port authority has approved a US$1 billion grant for the project. The work is needed to allow larger vessels to pass under the bridge by 2014. Other options have included building a new bridge or constructing a road tunnel but the upgrades to the Bayonne Bridge have been regarded as the most cost effective.

Poland has invested some €5.15 billion on road projects in 2010. The Polish General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) signed contracts to build 544km of roads, including 300km of highways and 244km of dual carriageways. Of this 15% came from the Polish Government, while some 85% came from the National Road Fund (KFD).

The head of the German firm contracted to build 14 satellites for Europe's Galileo satellite navigation system called the entire project a "stupid idea," according to a leaked diplomatic cable published in Norway's Aftenposten newspaper.The head of the German firm contracted to build 14 satellites for Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system called the entire project a "stupid idea," according to a leaked diplomatic cable published in Norway’s Aftenposten newspaper. Aftenposten said the cable quotes Be

A project to construct much-needed highway links in Argentina now looks to have hit delays. The tender process for the highway projects, which will lie along the Atlantic coast of Buenos Aires Province, has now been held back. A partnership comprising IECSA, Chediack, Coarc, Equimac and Martinez de la Fuente had a proposal for the package of works disqualified due to financial terms of the various deals.

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.

The Department of Transport is planning to improve traffic flow in Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City, in a bid to reduce congestion and delays. Some 18 major road projects are due to commence in the city in 2011. In total the 18 road projects will be worth close to US$600 million. The contractors carrying out the work have not been revealed at this stage. Some obstacles to a number of the projects exist however with financing and land clearance issues expected to provide some hurdles.

A massive highway project will boost Austria's international links. The €933 million Ostergion PPP motorway project is one of the largest PPP projects currently in operation in Europe. The financers of the project are AMBAC and EIB, while the routine maintenance activities are headed by Egis. The project intends to ease congestion Austria's capital, Vienna, improve commuter traffic, enhance road connections between Austria and the Czech Republic and increase safety on congested B roads around the country.

Internet auction firm IronPlanet plans to sell over 270 items of construction, materials handling and agricultural equipment in its January 26th online auction. Equipment for sale includes excavators, loaders, dump trucks, backhoe loaders, compactors, telehandlers, forklifts, tractors and generators. The equipment is located throughout Europe and includes machines such as a 2010 Hitachi ZX280 crawler excavator, a Caterpillar 160H Motor Grader, two 2003 Terex TR70 dump trucks, a 2007 Caterpillar 319CL crawle