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The authorities in the Czech Republic are counting the cost of bungled planning for a series of infrastructure projects. The works will now have to source funds from the Czech Government following a ruling by the European Court of Auditors that the tender processes for the projects were flawed. The original plan was that the EU Operational Programme Transport would have paid for the works but instead, the Czech Government will finance the projects itself. However, only one project will have to be almost 100

ELE International, a major worldwide manufacturer and supplier of construction materials testing equipment, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Danaher Corporation, is this year celebrating 50 years in business. It has offices in the UK and USA and strategically located regional offices with ELE associates in China, the Middle East and Singapore.

Worrying road safety statistics have been released in Germany that reveal an increase in accidents and fatalities. These are in marked contrast to the data for last year, which saw a record low in road fatality rates in Germany. The country’s Federal Statistics Office, Destatis, has released preliminary figures showing that the number of people killed in road traffic in Germany increased 8.5% to 1,809 in the first half of 2011 compared to the year-earlier period. By contrast, the number of accidents registe

ADFORS is the new name for Saint-Gobain Technical Fabrics, part of the French-based Saint-Gobain Group, a global producer and distributor of construction materials. ADFORS offers reinforcement products and solutions, mainly based on glass fibre, for a range of construction and infrastructure applications.

In Romania the road authorities have signed a deal for the construction of a 22km stretch of highway in a contract worth €91 million. The Portuguese contractor Monte Adriano will construct the section linking Nadlac with Pecica. Romania has pledged to improve and expand its highway network with the construction of new links, and much of the funding for its highway plans has been provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The Hungarian Government is lining up an impressive plan for infrastructure investment in the coming years. A total of €11.14 billion will be used for developing the country’s road infrastructure from the present until 2027. The plans include building 500km of highway and 1,000km of dual carriageway in all. At present the funding sources have not been revealed. It seems likely that European banks will provide some of the funds but private sources are also likely to be used. The build operate transfer and pu

Iron technology company Saint-Gobain PAM UK has been awarded certification to the world-class, ISO-accredited CEMARS (Certified Emissions Measurement And Reduction Scheme) standard by the Achilles carbonReduction programme. CEMARS certification confirms the company has measured its greenhouse gas emissions in

As the world joins hands to make 2011-2020 the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, the Transport Research Foundation (TRF), the parent of TRL, has been selected as a new Centre of Excellence. It was appointed by iRAP (the International Roads Assessment Programme), a UK charity that co-chairs the work on infrastructure for the UN Decade of Action, and which has established a new way to inspect and measure the safety of roads. It recommends high priority improvements which will save the most lives for the m

The Greek highway sector looks set to receive muchneeded external funding from the EU for key project studies. Co-funding will be provided by the EU for studies into major infrastructure projects. A study investigating a section of the Ionian Highway between the multi-level junction of Egnatia and the town of Kakavia in Greece will receive almost €2 million in EU contribution. This will be provided under the 2010 TEN-T Annual Call. The co-funded study will set the stage for the construction of a four-lane h

A notable partnership deal looks set to provide funding for key Russian highway projects. A memorandum of cooperation has been signed between the state-owned Russian Highways (Avtodor) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Under this deal the EBRD may provide loans to Avtodor, redeem bonds, or co-operate on concession agreements. This funding stream will allow Avtodor to implement its key PPP projects. Avtodor and the EBRD have been discussing the highway linking Moscow with St Pe