News

Funding has been secured for a major highway project that will help revitalise Bosnia’s economy. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has signed a deal that will supply a finance package worth €210 million. Coming in the shape of a loan, this will be utilised to help pay for the Doboj ring road, which will form part of the Corridor 5C highway link.

A series of major road projects in Brazil have had their budgets cut. Construction works for 56 motorway projects have seen budgets cut, and in some instances removed altogether. The Brazilian national department for transport infrastructure (Dnit) had a previous budget of US$1.59 billion for road development projects. This has now been cut to $1.04 billion, less than 33% of the budget for 2014. Projects to have been hit include widening the BR-316 in Piau State, widening the BR-364 in Rondonia State, build

A series of major road projects in Brazil have had their budgets cut. Construction works for 56 motorway projects have seen budgets cut, and in some instances removed altogether. The Brazilian national department for transport infrastructure (Dnit) had a previous budget of US$1.59 billion for road development projects. This has now been cut to $1.04 billion, less than 33% of the budget for 2014. Projects to have been hit include widening the BR-316 in Piau State, widening the BR-364 in Rondonia State, build

Indonesia has further plans to expand its toll road network. By 2024 1,500km of toll road projects will be complete. And by 2030, around 4,480km of toll roads will be complete. This programme of works will require US$44.33 billion to complete. Funding will be provided from a combination of government and private sources. The work will be carried out across Indonesia, including Nusa Tenggara, Java, Bali, Sumatra, Sulawesi and Kalimantan.

A US$136 million road contract will be carried out in the UAE.

New road projects are planned for Panama. Contracts have been awarded by the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) worth some US$194.4 million. The work will be carried out in Los Santos, Herrera, Panama Oeste, Ngabe Bugle and Panama Este provinces. The Jose Agustin Arango-CPA-24 de Diciembre project is one of the larger of these and is costing $71 million, with the work being carried out by Puentes y Calzadas Infraestructuras. The Asociacion Accidental Tanara consortium, which comprises CUSA and Constructora de

China’s Guizhou Province is developing its transport infrastructure with a major programme of works being scheduled. Construction for six new highways is commencing during 2019, with the work being planned and managed by the Guizhou Provincial Transportation Department. These six highway sections will all feature at least two lanes in either direction, five of which will be for traffic speeds up to 80km/h. The 162km Nayong to Qinglong highway however will be for speeds up to 100km/h, is costing over US$5.

Financing in the shape of loans will help fund six PPP road projects in Argentina. Loans worth US$200 million and are being supplied by IDB Invest, a division of the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB). In all syndicated loans worth $900 million have been amassed from a number of banks and funding institutions to help pay for the projects. However the road projects are expected to cost in the order of $6 billion in all.

Acrow Bridge is expanding its operations with the acquisition of Mabey Bridge for an undisclosed sum. With this move, Acrow Bridge is further developing its share of the international market. Based in the US, Acrow Bridge already has a strong presence in the market worldwide, but by acquiring the UK company Mabey Bridge, this will significantly develop global reach. This development follows several months of negotiations between the two companies. “Mabey is a business that we have long thought would be an

Mexico City’s chronic traffic congestion could well be reduced by planned road repair works. Traffic is routinely clogged in the city, with potholes being one of many issues facing drivers. However the city authorities are providing a budget of US$351.2 million to tackle some of the worst road defects on key routes. The plan involves improving 55% of Mexico City’s primary road links by 2021. In 2019 alone, some 692km of roads will be improved.

International interest is strong in Vietnam’s landmark North-South Expressway project. French, Japanese and South Korean firms are amongst those showing an interest in building sections of the 2,100km route. Vietnamese contractors are also showing interest in the project and the tender process for the latest stretches will remain open until 9th July.