News

A pre-bid conference was held yesterday for the Secondary National Roads Development Project (SNRDP) in Samar, the Philippines. Monday’s event was a tender call for the first of four contracts of the road construction and rehabilitation project. Actual bids for the first contract, which involves a 550-day project to rehabilitate the Barangay Tinani-Buray Junction road that is scheduled to start on 5 September, 2012, must be submitted by 16 July, 2012.

The authorities in Indonesia are planning six toll road projects to link with capital Jakarta. These have a total value of US$4.52 billion and include the 18km Semanan-Sunter toll road, a 10km road linking Kampung Melayu and Kemayoran, the 9.6km Pasar Minggu-Casablanca road and the Ulujami-Tanah Abang road. Prequalification for tendering will commence once full approval has been given for the projects to become part of Jakarta’s 2011-2030 infrastructure programme. Also in Indonesia, Jasa Marga is investing

In Israel the contractor Shikun u'Binui Holdings has been awarded a road project worth some US$65.2 million. The tender was awarded by Israel National Roads Company and is for a four-year project. Under the terms of the deal Shikun u'Binui Solel Boneh Building and Infrastructure will upgrade the Upper Galilee interchange that connects Road 65 and Road 85. The project also includes widening both highways from two-lane to four-lane roads as well as building a small interchange near the Kahal village and const

A novel concept aimed at boost road funding is being introduced by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). The new ODOT programme is aimed at generating millions in new revenue for reinvestment into highway funding. The scheme will permit advertising and sponsorship opportunities at interstate rest areas and welcome centres throughout Ohio. ODOT says it is seeking competitive bids for the Sponsorship, Maintenance, and Advertising Revenue Tartgeted (SMART) programme.

Volvo Construction Equipment has opened a new Competence Development Centre in Zhengzhou in partnership with local colleges and dealers to educate talented young people in technician training China's rapid urbanisation has meant that the construction machinery industry is developing quickly, and according the Five-Year Plan, the annual growth average for engineering machinery is projected to be more than 17%, while the annual output will be over US$900 billion Construction machinery will be a driving f

The commencement of work on a key road project in Mexico that will link Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido has now been delayed for 30 months. The project is expected to cost US$318 million to build and the construction work will start in January 2012. Once the highway is complete it will reduce the journey time between Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido from the current 6-7 hours to just 2-2.5 hours. Omega has awarded the work to contractor ICA. Delays with the project have been a result of Omega having difficulties in

Australia’s Government will invest US$12.4 billion (A$12.5 billion) on the country’s road network in the 2014-2015 financial year. This does represent a decline from the $16 billion (A$16.1 billion) invested in roads by the Australian Government in the last financial year however.

The authorities in the Russian city of St Petersburg will spend some US$514.6 million on road construction and reconstruction during 2012. The city authorities will use public and private partnerships to push ahead with planned road infrastructure projects. Private investors will be invited to participate in construction of two highways with bridges across the Neva River, a highway with a bridge at the intersection of Fayansovaya and Zolnaya streets, and the Northern highway #7 connecting Arsenalnaya embank

Plans are in hand in Canada for repairs to the Gardiner Expressway near Toronto over the next 10 years. The plans call for repair works worth US$147 million (C$150 million) in all. The City of Toronto in Canada will provide some $14.7 million/year (C$15 million/year) during the 10 year period. So far, around $2.94 million (C$3 million) has been spent on maintaining expressway and the spending is set to hit $9.8 million (C$10 million) for 2012. At the same time a solution is being sought with regard to concr

Funding is being established for the Shoubra-Banha highway project planned for Egypt. The National Bank of Egypt is bringing together a consortium of lenders that will provide the syndicated loan required. The Shoubra-Banha highway project is planned by the Egyptian Transportation Ministry. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the General Authority for Roads, Bridges and Land Transport and the National Bank of Egypt. Construction of the 40km stretch of highway, which will carry 125,00

The famous Spaghetti Junction in Birmingham, central England marks its 40th birthday this week. A firm divider of opinion among the millions of motorists that use it each year, its sprawling concrete arteries at junction six of the M6 connect the A38(M) Aston Expressway into central Birmingham. Officially opened on 24 May 1972, the Gravelly Hill Interchange – Spaghetti Junction’s official name - took four years to build and cost between £9m and £10m. It was subsequently dubbed Spaghetti Junction by newspap