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The European Union will support with over €1.5 million from the TEN-T Programme a series of studies looking at the connection of the Freeport of Riga in Latvia to the TEN-T road network. The studies, selected under the 2012 TEN-T Annual Programme, specifically concern the detailed design needed ahead of the construction in 2016 of a 9.1km stretch (Segment 1) of the Riga Northern Transport Corridor (Northern Corridor). The Northern Corridor is an east-west motorway which will cross the old historic town ce

More than US$617 million (VND 13 trillion) will be required by Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City for road construction and repairs in 2014, according to a national newspaper quoting the city's Department of Transport. Ho Chi Minh City needs the money to fulfil plans to construct 10 new bridges and 45km of road covering 397,000m². Of the total funding demand, $108.27 million (VND 2.3 trillion) will be official development assistance (ODA) loans, while $329.54 million (VND 7 trillion) will come from Ho Chi Minh Cit

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) intends to supply financial assistance worth US$154.8 million for 484 new road projects in the state of Odisha, India. The routes will extend for a total of 1,790.4km, targeting 14 districts affected by tropical cyclone Phailin in late 2013 and which suffered flooding. The state had previously requested funding from the central government to improve 3,076,62km of roads.

Colombia's national infrastructure agency (ANI) has prequalified 10 companies for its US$770 million highway project Autopista al Mar 2. This new route will improve connections in western Antioquia department between Medellín and the Pacific coast, according to Business News Americas. The project is for the operation and maintenance of 176km of highways, as well as the construction of 41 bridges and 19 tunnels. Among the companies prequalified are Spain's Sacyr, Cintra, Acciona and OHL, France's Vinci, and

Morocco continues to invest in its road network as part of the transport expansion programme designed to improve connectivity to all towns and villages. The country’s highway network currently extends to 1,416km in all and with projects that are continuing or were initiated in 2013, the Works and Transport Ministry expects to meet its target of 1,800km of highway network by 2015. The main projects in 2014 include the 172km motorway linking Berrechid to Béni Mellal, which is costing US$736 million and the 14

Work has started on a new facility for BOMAG Americas in South Carolina. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in Ridgeway, at the future site of the firm’s new North American headquarters. The new facility will house spare parts warehousing and a machine assembly area along with office space. It is due for completion in October 2014, when BOMAG will begin the move from its current headquarters in Illinois. BOMAG chose the location, situated within 50km from Columbia and 112km of Charlotte in North Carolin

IronPlanet, a leading online marketplace for used heavy equipment, has made a strong start to 2014, selling US$26.8 million in used heavy equipment and trucks during a global auction event held 28-31 January. The four-day auction included equipment listed in the US, Canada, Mexico and Europe. In total, 1,795 items were sold to over 1,000 buyers. Strong demand in the market was demonstrated by online bids placed from 78 different countries as well as from every US state and all 10 Canadian provinces.

Volvo Construction Equipment is posting optimistic financial results that show an increase in deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2013. The firm reports deliveries climbing by 9% as global markets show sign of improvement. A slowly recovering global market helped Volvo Construction Equipment round off 2013 with sales up 3% in the fourth quarter and improved market share, especially in compact equipment. When adjusted for currency movements net sales increased further – to 6%. These improved figures are due

Up to US$169.24 million (IDR 2.03 trillion) is needed to repair Indonesia’s roads damaged in floods in several parts of the country, according to Indonesia's Public Works Ministry. Of this, $42.33 million (IDR 510 billion) would be for temporary repairs on roads in South Sumatra, Java, North Sulawesi, Bengkulu, and Northeast Sulawesi, with the remaining funds required for permanent repairs. The ministry's Director General for Highways Djoko Murjanto added that concrete rigid pavement is being considered to

Grey ‘stealth’ speed cameras are set to be installed on busy stretches of UK motorways to target motorists driving above the 70mph limit, according to new Highways Agency (HA) plans. Parts of the M1, M25 and M6 will have the cameras, dubbed ‘stealth’ cameras by those opposing their introduction. Motorway speed cameras have in the past been situated primarily on stretches where roadworks were taking place. The cameras will appear on parts of ‘smart’ motorways and will allow traffic to flow more effectively a

In Paris, France US company Uber has launched UberPOP, a car-sharing service allowing private citizens who share their cars to be paid. The average price of the service is €12, from which the company takes a small commission. Candidates must have an at least three-year-old driving permit. Income from car-sharing will be declared to tax authorities. Drivers and clients are put in touch through a mobile application. UberPOP already offers in France car services with drivers, but Paris is the first city outsid