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Siemens has received orders, valued at nearly US$63 million from Eurotoll and Total, two of the largest French electronic toll onboard units issuers, to supply technology for the new French toll collection system. The equipment comprises onboard units for the vehicles as well as the electronic detection system. The orders are part of the Ecotaxe project which will see the introduction of mileage-based taxation on French national roads for trucks weighing 3.5 tons and more. In addition to the highways, bridg

An extension to the existing collaboration between ASECAP and the European GNSS Agency (GSA) will increase efficiency. The aim is to exchange knowledge and experience and to examine together the potential and the use of GNSS applications in highway operations. This arrangement follows on from the 40th ASECAP Study and Information Days, which took place in Turin, Italy recently. The GSA supports the use of European GNSS in road transport to improve traffic management and road safety and reduce CO2 emissions.

The UK city of Sunderland, north-east England, looks set to see construction of a landmark cable-stayed bridge across the River Wear. The structure will be England's tallest bridge and will measure 187m high by 336m long. It has been designed by architect Stephen Spence and the structural engineering company Techniker.

In Serbia the Ministry of Infrastructure has its plans in hand for construction work on the Belgrade-South Adriatic Highway. Contractors will be invited to tender for this €507 million project shortly. The highway will provide an important link for Serbia once it is complete.

The Polish highway authorities plan to spend some €1.47 billion on repairing roads over the next three years. Around 500km of roads will be repaired in 201 under the plan. The project will be aided by funds from the National Road Fund (KFD) and from credits granted by the EIB in 2009. A number of road repairing tenders are already in process with more due later in the year.

Greek contractor Aktor is currently preferred bidder for construction of Bulgaria’s new Trakia highway. This road will link Nova Zagora and Yambol and the plan calls for the highway to be complete within a 25-month period. Apart from Aktor, bids were also submitted by ten companies.

Poland’s General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) says that the country has suffered some €195 million worth of road damage due to recent flooding. The problem is expected to grow once the cost of damage to further roads in the north of the country can be ascertained. The damage includes links under construction at present.

Costs are climbing for the proposed new bridge to link Denmark and Germany. The structure is now expected to cost €282 million. This represents a significant increase from the €192 million estimated just 18 months ago. Meanwhile the cost of the environmental permit has also doubled.

With filling stations now selling foodstuffs, this can attract unwanted attention. (photo courtesy of World Highways reader Bogdan Schiteanu).

With filling stations now selling foodstuffs, this can attract unwanted attention. (photo courtesy of World Highways reader Bogdan Schiteanu).

APPROVAL HAS now been given for work to go ahead on a key section of Slovakia’s D1 highway. The work had been delayed as the European Commission (EC) was concerned over environmental issues facing sections of the route that passed through a nature reserve. The EC has now given its approval for construction of the highway between Martin and Presov on conditional terms. The EC says that the sections in zones belonging to the Natura 2000 network can be built once terms are agreed with the Slovak government o

THE CONSTRUCTION of the crossing for the A15 highway near Arnhem in the Netherlands now looks likely to cost up to €1 billion. It is required to reduce traffic density on surrounding minor roads and improve connections through to neighbouring Germany. The project was originally estimated to cost €750 million, of which the regional partners are to pay €112.5 million. A further €262.5 million is to be raised from tolls. However, this budget does not provide for the option, which includes a tunnel under the Pa

VIATEC UK, the Bath, south-west England-based manufacturers of road maintenance and reinstatement products, has exported its first order of the pothole repair, Viafix, to Malaysia. While on holiday in the UK last winter, Australian highway engineer John Hare saw Dorset Highways using Viafix to repair potholes in heavy rain. “He asked one of the maintenance team how they could fill potholes under such adverse conditions. The maintenance team explained about Viafix and explained how easy to use it had been,

A new joint-venture has been established between Russian Machines and Terex Roadbuilding. Under the terms of the deal, the partners will manufacture construction and roadbuilding equipment in Russia. The equipment being built, marketed and sold by the joint venture will include a number of Terex products as well as the entire range from Russian Machines. In addition, a number of products built by Terex will be marketed in Russia. This move follows an announcement of plans to form a joint venture in late 201