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Plans are moving forward for the new bridge structure connecting Thailand with neighbouring Laos. The Mekong Friendship Bridge will be 1.35km long and is expected to cost US$84.3 million to construct. The building work on the bridge will commence in 2019, with the necessary surveying work as well as the design now close to completion.

An Italian-Iranian road study agreement has now been signed. The Italian state-controlled road concession firm ANAS has a cooperation agreement with Iran's Construction and Development of Transport Infrastructures Company (CDTIC). ANAS International Enterprise (AIE) will carry out the study for the completion of the 1,500km north-south corridor, which runs between the port of Bandar-E-Imam on the Persian Gulf up to the northern border with Azerbaijan through the city of Tabriz. The aim of the study is to co

Italian contractor General Smontaggi has carried out a successful bridge demolition project in the south of the country. Explosives were used to remove the redundant Viadotto Caffaro Bridge carrying the A3 Autostrade. The 390m long structure had been found to be unsuitable for modern traffic requirements on the route, located in Calabria. The demolition project was not straightforward as the new bridge had already been constructed alongside the redundant structure. The extensive pre-weakening work for the old bridge included cutting into the deck to ensure it collapsed downwards.

Uzbekistan will take out a US$405 million loan with the Asian Development Bank in the second half of this year for completion of a motorway from Central Asia to China. ADB will provide three loan in three tranches. Last autumn, Uzbekistan said it will target of 2,700km of new highways by 2019 at a cost of around $590 million. Around 2,280km will have a bituminous concrete surface and 418km will be a concrete surface. Uzbekistan has been setting out a major plan for road repairing, rebuilding and up

Delays look likely for Indonesia’s massive toll-road development programme. Funding shortages for the necessary land acquisitions will hold back commencement of highway construction activity. In all over US$18.1 billion has been set aside by the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry for the necessary land purchases. But this sum is insufficient for the massive land areas required. The ambitious programme of works has called for the construction of 1,000km of tolled highways by 2019. Additional funding wi

Funding from the Middle East looks set to help develop new Indian highway projects. Some $15.6 billion from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), a UAE-based sovereign wealth fund, will be directed towards highway projects in India. This will be used for 50 highway projects in India on a toll-operate-transfer (TOT) basis. The Indian Government is planning to award 104 highway projects under the TOT model that will allow investments by private equity firms, infrastructure developers and institutional in

The Mersey Gateway Project achieved another milestone as the first deck span for the elevated north approach viaduct was completed. The reinforced concrete deck span was revealed when Merseylink's movable scaffolding system (MSS) 'Trinity' moved to its second casting position. It is the first of 11 spans that will be cast by the MSS for the deck of the elevated approach viaduct on the north side of the River Mersey.

A new business deal has been struck between Italian manufacturer Magni Telescopic Handlers and Chinese company Zehjiang Dingli Machinery. The agreement between the two companies includes a purchase in stock as well as the establishment of a new R&D facility for Dingli in Europe. Under the terms of the deal, Zhejinag Dingli will sell the full range of Magni machines through its distribution network in China.

Costa Rica is looking into amending its processes for the development of road infrastructure projects. A new law would speed up awarding processes and accelerate the execution of works. Road infrastructure projects are crucial to the economic development of the country. New roads would benefit cargo transport operations and reduce travel times.

A major programme of infrastructure development is planned for the Colombian island of San Andres. The Colombian National Planning Department (DNP) intends to spend a healthy US$719.86 million into infrastructure development projects on San Andres between 2016 and 2020. This represents a 22% increase over the 2011-2014 budget for the island. Development projects include the upgrade of Avenida Circunvalar. The budget will include investment into new cycle facilities, public transportation and developing the