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The authorities in Vietnam have identified the need for major investment in road infrastructure in Ho Chi Minh City. To bring the city’s transport infrastructure up to the necessary standard, some US$4 billion will be required/year over the next 10 years, according to local officials.

Preliminary works are now underway on a crucial link in the new road connections for New Zealand city Auckland. A 30m deep trench is being excavated that will form the start point for the tunnel boring machine (TBM) drive. The 2.4km long, twin tube tunnels will cost some US$1.13 billion (NZ$1.4 billion) to construct and will be driven using the TBM. The project team plans to commence the TBM drive in 2013.

In the Czech Republic work is now on-going to provide ground support for the last stretch of the D8 highway project. This section of the highway runs through the Ceske Stredohori Mountains. The work is needed to reduce the risk from mudslides along a specific stretch of the highway

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has selected a consortium for the 45-year Mumbai Trans Harbour Link concession. The consortium comprises Spanish firm, OHL Concesiones, Indian firm, Gammon Infrastructure Projects, and South Korean firm, GS Engineering & Construction. The 22km highway will connect Sewri with Nhava andwill include a 16km bridge over the bay of Mumbai. Meanwhile the authorities in Uttar Pradesh state are planning to invest US$279.54 million in road improvements during the

The Ministry of Public Works in Indonesia has allocated US$5.33 billion (IDR 50.35 trillion) for a development master plan set to include improvements to vital access and toll roads. Among the projects in the Acceleration and Expansion of Economy Development master plan up until 2014 are access roads from Nabire to Narotali; from Manokwari to Sorong in Papua; from Sei Mangke to Kuala Tanjung in North Sumatra; and from Tanjung Priok to the Metropolitan Priority Area. It also includes the Cileunyi-Sumedang-D

The Brazilian government is preparing the fourth stage of motorway concession auctions which include the construction of 4,000kms of roads in the South American country. A new call for tender will comprise projects in the Northern, North-Eastern, Central-Western, and South-Eastern regions of Brazil. Bids have been asked to not only refer to the overall cost of the project, but to also cover possible toll charges after its conclusion, in order to moderate the impact on agricultural haulage.

An environmental impact assessment and feasibility studies will be carried out on the first phase of the proposed Northern Expressway in Sri Lanka. The earmarked key highway route will link Colombo with Jaffna in the north of the country. Phase one of the project will cost an estimated US$ 1billion.

The European Commission is announcing its new engine emission categories as well as the introduction of new stages. The consultation document will include new categories in the directive for non-road mobile machinery engine emissions. New stage IV limits will be proposed for diesel engines with power outputs of less than 19kW and over 560kW, as well as for spark ignition engines. New stages will be introduced for engine power ranges that are already regulated at present, including new stage IV limits for di

Sophisticated vehicle technologies will derive from a new investment by a Chinese manufacturer into UK research. Car company FAW is providing Nottingham University with a €1.3 million (£1 million), three year research contract. Under the terms of the agreement, Nottingham University will work with FAW on the development of a number of low carbon technologies. These will include thermal management and heat transfer, which have been identified as key challenges for both hybrid electric and pure electric vehic

Bolivian president Evo Morales has decided to put his plans to build a new highway through the Amazon jungle to the vote. Morales is going to ask the affected communities directly if they want the new road or not, after a noisy protest campaign against the plan caused him to think more deeply.