US $1.2bn Zhoukou-Zhengzhou, China highway construction begins

In China, the news that the construction industry has been waiting for came with an announcement over infrastructure spending. The Chinese Government said it will invest heavily in infrastructure spending over the next few years, some US$157 billion, particularly in extending the country’s high speed rail network. Some $4.45 billion will be invested in transport infrastructure in 2012. Of the total, $790 million will go on rural road improvements, of which 88% will be used in the central and western regions

Work is underway on the second phase of a new highway in China. The route connects Xihua and Zhoukou with Zhengzhou Airport. The new highway is due for completion in 2017 and will be 45km long, with a maximum speed limit of 120km/h. The six lane highway is costing US$805 million to construct.

Two competing consortia are due to find out tomorrow (December 20 2013) which one has won the estimated €1.2 billion (US$1.65 billion) contract to build the Comarnic-Brasov highway section in Romania. The Vistrada Nord consortium formed of Vinci of France, Strabag of Austria and Aktor of Greece, and another consortium involving Impreglio and Salini of Italy are vying for the prized works. The Comarnic-Brasov highway section should be completed by the end of 2016, according to Narcis Neaga, general man

A loan worth US$1.20billion for the Padma Multipurpose Bridge project has been cancelled by the World Bank (WB). The decision was said to have been taken as the Bank was not satisfied with the actions taken by the Bangladeshi government in regards to corruption allegations involving the bridge contract. A major engineering and construction company is alleged to have made improper payments to Bangladeshi government officials in order to secure the bridge contract. The World Bank loan, signed In April last y