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The Chinese Exim Bank is providing much of the funding for two highway projects in Macedonia. The construction work will be carried out by a Chinese contractor, which has signed a deal with the Macedonian Government. The Chinese Sinohydro Corporation will build two stretches of highway linking Kicevo-Ohrid and Miladinovci-Stip. These will measure 56.7km and 53km long, respectively. Some 90% of the construction costs will come from the Macedonian Government, with this €580 million being provided by the loan

A new development looks set to offer an efficient alternative to lithium ion batteries for use in electric vehicles (EVs). At present the current generation of EVs feature lithium-ion batteries to store energy. However the performance of the lithium ion batteries has been criticised, particularly with regard to the recharge time required as this is considerably longer than the time needed to refuel a combustion engine-powered vehicle. While faster charging technologies are available for lithium ion batterie

Work is starting in Nepal on a new tunnel project worth some US$347 million. The new tunnel forms part of the 58km route between Hetauda and Kathmandu. The project developer is Nepal Purbadhar Bikas (NPBCL) and the tunnel is being built at Bhimphedi in Makwanpur. The new route will reduce the journey time between Hetauda and Kathmandu from six hours at present to just one hour when the tunnel opens to traffic in December 2016. Once the new route is open it is also expected to improve traffic safety as the e

According to market analysis by global advisory firm KPMG, the value of global transactions in the transport infrastructure sector has risen steeply since the beginning of 2013. KPMG reports that 2013 looks set to be a record year for transport infrastructure deals. The first half of 2013 saw global deals of infrastructure assets worth US$16.6 billion. By the end of the third quarter this figure had risen to $23.5 billion. The majority of assets acquired in 2013 have been either in Europe or Asia.

Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME) and Shell are now working together on testing the Shell GTL (gas-to-liquids) fuel in construction operations. The latest range of Hitachi Zaxis-5 excavators is being used to trial the innovative liquid fuel. This concept is being tested as a potential solution to environmental and quality concerns surrounding conventional crude oil-derived diesel. The test programme has been developed as a solution for cleaner burning fuel products. This is in response to th

Excavation work is now underway in Brazil for the Transolimpica tunnel. The US$688.6 million project forms part of the preparation works for the 2016 Olympic Games. The 23km route will connect Barra da Tijuca and Deodoro in Rio de Janeiro. The construction work is expected to last 18 months and should be complete by December 2015. Work on the Transolimpica route is being carried out by the Viario consortium, which comprises Odebrecht, Invepar, and CCR. The tunnel will feature two lanes in each direction whe

The cost of Chile’s Vespucio Oriente highway project is increasing, while its completion also looks set to be delayed. A 13% budget increase is now required due to additional costs from a number of factors such as urban landscaping, according to Business News Americas. The Américo Vespucio Oriente (AVO) expressway is being built in Chilean capital Santiago and was originally expected to cost in the region of US$940 million. However Chile’s Public Works Ministry, MOP, has said that the route will now cost so