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The Italian construction equipment manufacturer body Unacea has revealed comprehensive information on machine sales and exports. The data shows that construction machine sales in Italy grew 12% in the first nine months of 2014. However exports fell 7% and Unacea believes that the export performance of Italian manufacturers on the world market will have shrunk by the end of the year compared with the figures for 2013. Over the first nine months of 2014, construction equipment sold in the Italian market sto

Progress is said to be on track for the Eurasia Tunnel being constructed in Turkey. Around 33% of the link has already been built. This project will be the first tunnel link for Istanbul and will provide a vehicle crossing for the Bosporus. Construction work commenced in April 2014. The tunnel will be 95m deep and the underground construction work is due for completion by the end of 2015. Meanwhile the fitting out work and connecting links to the tunnel will be complete by August 2017. The tunnel will be 14

In New Zealand the Government is now considering charging tolls for the use of Auckland's motorways. The proposal would help plug a US$9.5 billion (NZ$12 billion) transport funding gap by charging a toll of $1.58 for using motorways in Auckland between 6am and 7pm on weekdays and 79 Cents between 6am and 7pm on weekends. There will be no toll charges for using Auckland's motorways after 7pm. Another option to plug the funding gap is to charge an annual fuel tax. The government could also opt to increase tol

The Philippines Government plans to reopen the tender process for the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) project. This public-private partnership (PPP) project is valued at some US$791.7 million. The 47km toll road project will feature a 35-year concession covering design and construction, as well as financing and operation. The earlier bid from Optimal Infrastructure Development, a unit of San Miguel, was disqualified due to technical reasons. With this disqualification, Team Orion became the party with the

The German Government has given the go-ahead for planning a new autobahn section in Bremen. The Ministry of Transport says that the work will be carried out to a section of the A281 autobahn that connects the A1 and the A27. The section lies between Bremen-Airport-Stadt and Bremen-Kattenturm. The work is expected to cost some €142 million. A representative of DEGES, the engineering company that is coordinating the project, has said that that work could start in January 2016.

Two new bridge projects planned for Ecuador will cost a total of US$116 million. Studies submitted to the local councils in Guayaquil, Daule and Samborondon determined the cost for building the two bridges to connect these areas. However, an additional $7 million might be needed if another structure is to be built over Samborondon Avenue. Enylic, CPR and Consultola worked on the design studies at a cost of $1.05 million.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority has opened new lanes on the New Jersey Turnpike between Interchange 6 and 9.

A major programme of bridge replacement works on Pennsylvania will see the state replacing 558 highway bridges over a period of three years. The work is expected to cost in the region of US$899 million to carry out and was awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDot) to a group of firms called Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners. The package of works includes construction of the bridges over three years as well as a 25 year maintenance deal. The Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners comprises Gr

The Kuwaiti Government has awarded a US$520 million bridge construction contract to South Korean construction firm GS E&C. The deal will see GS E&C building a 12.43km bridge that features eight lanes. The central 7.72km section of the bridge will be constructed over water, in Al Asimah Governorate. The Doha Link Bridge will connect Entertainment City with Shuwaikh Port and is due for completion 36 months from now.

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) reported 9% improvement in North American sales for the third quarter 2014. However, the manufactures said it was not enough to overcome uncertainty and negative growth elsewhere. Net sales in the three months July to September increased to US$1,735 million (SEK 12,582 million), up from $1,692 million (SEK12,278 million) for the same period last year. However, when adjusted for currency movements, net sales were down by 3% during the period. Volvo’s statement said “