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According to a new report from Timetric’s Construction Intelligence Center (CIC), the global construction industry is gradually regaining strength. This comes after a prolonged period of sluggishness in the wake of the global financial crisis. In real terms, the global industry is expected to have reached US$8.5 trillion in 2015, up from US$7.5 trillion in 2010. Over the forecast period (2016-2020) the pace of expansion will accelerate to an annual average of 3.4%, with the industry reaching a value of US$1

French firm Egis is reporting improved group performance with its latest financial results. In 2015, the Group’s managed turnover amounted to €937 million, up 10% compared with 2014 (€854 million). This growth can be attributed to acquisitions which account for approximately 6%, but it is also due to business development: 4% excluding scope effects. Following a drop in 2014, the order intake for engineering has resumed an upward trend. It represented 14 months of business in 2015, taking the order book t

A new joint venture team will carry out the construction of a major new highway project in Indonesia. The project will see the construction of the Serpong Balaraja highway in Tangerang Regency. Construction is due to commence in July 2016 with the work expected to cost over US$452.5 million. The partnership will be headed by local firm Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD), with a 50% stake. Its partners will be Transindo Karya Investama and Astratel Nusantara, both with 25% shares in the partnership.

Major road widening projects for Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand have been awarded by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Local construction company PNC Infratech will widen key routes in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. One of the projects will be to widen a 102km stretch of the Nagina-Kashipur section of NH-74 00 to four lanes. The contract is worth some US$174.2 million.

A new highway project will help mobility in East Africa. The 172km route through Kenya will be upgraded following the loan of US$228 million by the Africa Development Bank (AfDB). The route forms part of the Sirari Corridor that connects Kenya, Tanzania and South Sudan and is an important highway for transport and trade in East Africa. The upgrade work will also include improvements to 77km of secondary roads, as well as public transport facilities in the area.

China’s capital Beijing is increasing the restrictions on vehicle use in the city. Beijing is banning electric two wheelers from key routes in the city in a bid to boost safety and cut crashes. These electric two wheelers will be banned from 10 key routes, with rule breakers facing fines and vehicle seizures should they attempt to avoid paying. The measures are being introduced to busy routes such as the extended Chang'an Avenue, one of Beijing’s main thoroughfares. They also include several roads around

A major cause of car crashes in the UAE can be revealed to be poor use of indicators. This has been revealed in a survey of drivers in the UAE by YouGuv, carried out on behalf of Qatar Insurance Company and RoadSafetyUAE. The survey of over 1,000 UAE drivers showed that only 15% of motorists are seen using indicators when driving. However 67% of those responding to the survey said that they use their indicators most of the time. Meanwhile 90% of drivers responding to the survey said they believe that using

Peru's Transport Ministry has announced a series of new road concession deals in the country. One of the key concessions approved is for the road between Ica and Arequipa along the Panamericana Sur highway. Another concession due to be awarded is for section four of Longitudinal de la Sierra high connecting Huancayo and Abancay.

Paraguay is commencing the tender process for the first section of the bi-oceanic corridor project. The plans have been announced by the Public Works and Communications Ministry. Work on the first section of the bi-oceanic corridor will be carried out between Carmelo Peralta and Loma Plata. The project is expected to cost in the region of US$315 million. The tender process for the second section of the corridor will commence in late 2016. This section of the route will run between Mariscal Estigarribia and

A major highway upgrade project in Azerbaijan is receiving fuding from the World Bank. Under the terms of the deal the World Bank has approved financing worth US$140 million for the widening of the Baku-Shamakhi highway. The highway will be widened to four lanes, increasing capacity.