News

A series of road improvements are planned for Panama’s capital Colon that are intended to boost connectivity and cut congestion. The US$163.2 million package of works has been approved by Panama's National Economic Council (CENA). Of the sum budgeted, $127 million will be for the construction work while $35 million will be required for property expropriations. The road works form part of a contract the Panama Government is signing with Concesionaria Madden-Colon.

In Russia’s Krasnodar Region the authorities intend to spend US$909.3 million on road construction and repairs during the 2013-2015 period. The main focus of this investment will be rebuilding of the M4 Don Highway. In addition, a series of approach roads into Krasnodar will be rebuilt and new road junctions constructed.

Volvo CE reports a drop in machine sales of 9% in the third quarter as market demand drops. The company says that it is facing a weakening total market, which was down 11% in the year to August. This has also been combined with increased price competition and has put pressure on its third quarter sales and earnings. The company says it has reacted quickly to a slowing global market by slowing the rate of production in its factories and reducing the number of machines held in stock at its dealerships. This

The construction equipment market has been hit hard in Europe and further afield, with economic uncertainty slowing orders. But there is light on the horizon. A range of key industry speakers made presentations at the recent Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE) congress in Berlin, outlining prospects for the next few years in Europe as well as around the world.

The IRF is currently working on a series of programmes intended to help boost road safety and reduce the casualty rate on the world’s road network. On November 1st-2nd the IRF is organising a conference in India focussing on road safety in urban and rural roads. This follows immediately after the IRF’s road safety group of experts meeting on October 31st in Delhi. Starting from the 2nd December, the IRF is also planning a Safer Roads by Design event in Miami in the US. This last, the Road Safety Across Six

In the US State of Virginia plans are now moving forward for construction of the US$460 tolled highway. This 88km route will connect Petersburg and Suffolk and will cost $1.4 billion to construct. A consortium headed by Spanish firm Ferrovial Agroman has qualified to handle the design, build, finance deal for the project. The package of works also includes building junctions for the highway to connect with seven existing roads. The financing of the project has still to be completed but this stage is expect

Works are now underway on an upgrade to a 222km stretch of road connecting Samar to Eastern Samar in the Philippines. The US Government is funding the work through its Millennium Challenge programme, which is worth some US$434 million. The road improvement forms part of the Secondary National Roads Development Project and will help boost access for the community. A consortium comprising CM Panco Construction and DM Consunji is now working on the CP 1 contract, which includes a 16km section of road and the T

The authorities in Peru are planning a series of key infrastructure projects that will boost connectivity and communications in the country. Contracts are being prepared for tender with the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) setting a budget of some US$15.55 billion in all. The work will be carried out over several years and includes the construction of 600 new bridges. The MTC has said it also wants to increase the percentage of asphalt surfaced roads in the country’s network from the 52% recorded in a 2011 survey to some 85%.

The US $ 637.36 million (£ 395mn) Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR), a scheme that will see the construction of a trunk road around the outskirts of the northern Scottish city, has been given the go ahead by the Supreme Court. The scheme was green lighted after the Supreme Court dismissed objections filed by William Walton, the chair of the Road Sense campaign group. Walton claimed the government failed to comply with correct procedures when devising the route, which also includes a link between the

The Highways Department (HD) in Thailand is considering an extension on two elevated roads from Bangkok to maintain its traffic links with the South, North and Northeast should the capital be hit with floods. The HD would extend Boromratchonnanee Elevated Road from Phutthamonthon Sai 2 Road to Phetkasem Road to make sure that traffic to the South does not face any disruption caused by floods in the future. The possible move was disclosed by the HD director-general, Chatchawal Buncharoenkit.

Powes Parkop, the Governor of National Capital District (NDC) Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG), says US $ 305.13 million (PGK 629mn) is being sought by the provincial government for road improvements. Of the targeted total, PGK 600mn is earmarked for the 2013 upgrade of several major routes including the Kookabara Street-Sir John Guise Drive flyover, the Erima roundabout, and the Paga Hill ring road. Some of the sum will also be allocated to build a four-lane road to link Bautama with Gerehu in preparati