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International interest is growing in major highway projects being planned in the Ukraine. The biggest of the highway projects for the Ukraine will form part of the E-97 European Transport Corridor and is expected to cost in the region of US$1.3 billion. The next largest project planned for the Ukraine is worth $750 million.

The Malaysian authorities are setting out plans to upgrade a key link in the country, the 62km Segamat-Tangkak road. The project to widen the road and improve its capacity is likely to commence in mid 2011 and cost in excess of US$229 million. At present the Malaysian Public Works Ministry is preparing the tender process and is finalising the design.

US president Barack Obama has received a highly critical open letter from Pete Ruane, president of the US-based American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). The letter questions the lack of progress in the delivery of a long-term surface transportation bill by the US Government. This bill is now 15 months behind schedule, which has resulted in a knock-on effect for the already struggling US construction sector.

Finnish capital Helsinki may introduce congestion charging by 2016. The plan would see drivers in the city being charged for using their vehicles at peak periods, although off-peak night-time driving would be free. Other European cities such as Swedish capital Stockholm, Norwegian capital Oslo and UK capital London already have congestion charging. Other UK cities including Manchester and Edinburgh have previously considered but rejected congestion charging schemes however.

Overall, Russia is to benefit from a major highway investment programme. The Federal Transport Development Programme will feature a budget of $21.5 billion for the 2010-2015 period. Some $15.1 billion is to be allocated for highway construction and repairs. Russian city St Petersburg and the surrounding the Leningrad region will see the start of major investment in infrastructure during 2011. The road sector will benefit strongly, with projects underway including the southern section of the Western High Spe

Peru's Callejon de Huaylas-Chacas-San Luis road is to be improved and upgraded in a deal worth US$145 million. The road lies in the Ancash region and will be upgraded over a 99km stretch under the plan. The improvement work will be carried out by the Brazilian contractor Odebrecht, which is already active in the Peruvian market. This road upgrade forms part of Peru's plan to boost its transport links and help develop the economy.

Chile will see the tendering process for four major highway projects open during 2011. These will feature a total value of US$1.85 billion. The project data will be released by the Chilean Ministry for Public Works (MOP). The projects themselves include the $1.17 billion Americo Vespucio Oriente highway concession. The tender for this highway project will be launched during the second half of 2011, with the work itself scheduled for completion in 2016. Other projects include the Rutas del Loa (II Region) fo

Plans are in hand to build a 55km highway in Kosovo to link capital Pristina with Skopje, the capital of neighbouring Macedonia.

The Transport Ministry in Kuwait is looking to improve road safety and is at present evaluating different strategies to reduce the vehicle accident rate in the country.