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Colombia’s Santander Department is to see major investment in repairing and improving its road network. The Colombian Transport Ministry intends to spend US$2.4 billion on a series of road repairs and upgrades. Major highways being improved under the plans include the Curos-Malaga road and the Bucaramanga-Cuestaboba link. The Curos-Malaga road upgrade is expected to cost around $77 million while the Bucaramanga-Cuestaboba improvement project is likely to cost some $43.5 million.

The Romanian Transport Ministry has completed its plans for the Targu-Mures-Lasi highway, with final approval pending from the Romanian Government. The highway measures 289km long and is expected to take four years to construct and will cost some €8.71 billion in all.

In Uzbekistan a major road link between capital Tashkent and Osh will now be upgraded. US$211 million is being provided by the Uzbekistan Government for the upgrade work, which is required to improve the road surface and also widen the link and allow it to carry heavier traffic. The Asian Development Bank is supplying finances worth $167 million for the road improvement work.

Research shows that keep batteries within optimum operating temperatures will increase the range of electric vehicles. It is widely known that batteries perform less well in cold weather but is often overlooked that overheating will also cause problems. For batteries to provide a long service life, overheating has to be prevented and temperatures kept within the optimum operating range of 20-35°C.

Sophisticated new automatic braking technology could boost road safety and reduce accident levels. Car manufacturers are poised to make the introduction of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) technology across a wide array of new models due for launch. Some AEB systems have been fitted to a number of, mostly high-end, models from firms including Audi, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Lexus, Mercedes, Volvo and VW.

Two key highway projects in Italy are exhibiting good progress at present. Construction work on the new Brescia-Milan highway link is now more than 50% complete. The bridges crossing the Serio, Adda and Oglio rivers are 84% complete, while the underpasses and drainage is 49% ready. Service stations, surveying and foundation work is 40% complete while the remaining operations are 227% ready. Italian road construction firm Brebemi believes that the highway be will be complete and open to traffic by 31 Decembe

Sophisticated wireless charging technology could offer major benefits to users of electric vehicles. A number of firms have been working together on developing new wireless charging systems that could reduce delays and extend range for drivers. Inductive-charging systems are being tested at present, with Renault carrying out research in Europe on its electric vehicles.

Italian manufacturers of construction equipment are benefiting from good export sales at present. While sales of off-highway construction machines in Italy are weak at present, the manufacturers are seeing steady overseas sales. The manufacuring association, UNACEA, says that over the first half of 2012, construction equipment sales in the Italian market decreased by 32% to 3,172 units, compared to the same period of 2011.

In Sri Lanka up to 210 rural bridges will be built or repaired around the country following a financial deal worth US$44.14 million agreed with the Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC). The deal was arranged between the Sri Lankan Government and the HSBC in a bid to improve rural connectivity. The bridges measure from 6-30m in length and will be built by Cleveland Bridge UK. The plan is for the bridges to be completed within a three year period.

Road safety levels continue to deteriorate in Morocco, despite a series of policies introduced by the government and a tougher process of enforcement. The country has a human population of 32 million, along with 2.7 million registered vehicles and last year saw 15,000 people severely injured in road accidents, leaving them with long term disabilities.