Features

The US infrastructure network requires urgent attention - * T Peter Ruane. America's transportation infrastructure was once the "shining light on top of the hill." Major investments in a national highway, bridge, transit, airport, port and waterway system during the 20th century paid great dividends. The free and efficient flow of goods and people across the 50 states led to unparalleled economic expansion. The mobility and prosperity resulting from an interconnected infrastructure was a model for the world

Improving aggregate production and quality levels is not just about investing in the latest equipment but making sure existing machines are optimised - Claire Symes reports. Although the cost of fuel has dropped since last summer's high, reducing the cost/tonne of production is still high on the agenda for most quarry operators, along with improving quality.

MB S.p.A. of Italy has launched the first of a new generation in its bucket crusher range following the successful launch of the units in 2007. According to the company, which currently exports to more than 100 countries, applications for MB bucket crushers, which fit a variety of excavator sizes (and which also include an iron separator) are many.

SACYR Chile is constructing a bridge on the new Northeast Access Highway in the capital Santiago, and when complete the 22.5km route will link the suburbs of Vitacura and Colina to the city. Acceso Nororiente, opening this year, is the fifth urban freeway in Santiago and stands out because of the challenges in the construction of its bridges ands tunnels.

Well known in the compaction field, BOMAG continues to raise its profile in the paving sector with the launch of another new machine, the BF300 paver. This model replaces the earlier Marini-developed BF331 and is said to be a combination of the best German and Italian engineering as well as sharing some features with the BF600 series launched by BOMAG during last year. Developed for the 7-8tonne class the BF300 is versatile and manoeuvrable and has a transport width of just 2.5m, even including its mounted