News

Work is starting in the US on a US$356 million interchange project that will connect I-95, I-91 and Route 34 Interchange in New Haven.

Funding and assistance from Australia, South Korea and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will help finance key road and bridge projects in Vietnam.

The authorities in Guatemala are presently carrying out feasibility studies for an inter-oceanic logistics corridor that would connect both sides of the country.

Chinese construction equipment manufacturer LiuGong Machinery announced first quarter earnings of US$93.35 million (¥612 million; ?66.03 million) from a net profit of $905.58 million (¥5.94billion; ?640.59 million) total sales revenue.

Chinese financing will be used to pay for new road links in Sri Lanka. The China Development Bank is providing sources to funds of up to US$500 million that will pay for key road upgrades in Sri Lanka.

XGMA’s XG904 mini loader is said by the Chinese company to be “one machine for multi applications”. The highly versatile machine can be used in an array of applications including utilities work, loading duties, and more specialist work when fitted with attachments rather than a bucket.

In the US work is now commencing on the key I-269 highway upgrade at Byhalia in the state of Mississippi. The new US$19.5 million section now under construction will complete the beltway around nearby Memphis, Tennessee.

India's Government is continuing with its huge highway investment programme, with the Indian Road, Transport and Highways Ministry planning to announce US$15.66 billion worth of contracts in the 2011-2012 period.

The authorities in the Turkish city of Mersin are investing heavily in infrastructure, with a budget of US$1 billion planned.

In Russia the contractor Mostotrest will build a bridge across the Sura river on the M-7 Volga federal highway. The deal is worth US$131.3 million.

The plans for Chile's new Vespucio Oriente highway are under a question mark at present. The Chilean Construction Chamber (CChC) and the association of concession-holders (COPSA) have raised concerns over the plans by the country's government to press ahead with the construction of the 13km Vespucio Oriente highway in capital Santiago.

Work is due to start shortly to connect the Avenida Balboa and Avenida de los Poetas roads in Panama. The deal is worth close to US$777 million and includes work on the third phase of the Cinca Costera road.

The tender process is opening for Israel's Road 531 project, which will link Tel Aviv with Sharon. The highway contract will form part of the country's largest ever road project, according to the Israel National Roads Company.