News

The road linking Uganda with Sudan is being rebuilt with loans coming from the Japanese Government and the US-based World Bank. The cost of improving the road between Gulu and Atiak in Uganda and Nimule in Sudan is expected to be around US$245 million.

An ambitious plan to boost transport infrastructure in Africa is being unveiled at the inaugural Africa Roads & Rail Infrastructure Summit 2010 is being held in Kigali, Rwanda from 22nd-23rd April. International transport specialists will focus on the region along with key decision makers from African governments, the World Bank and economic communities.

Colombia's Ministry of Transport is suggesting that the Avenida Longitudinal de Occidente (ALO) road project in Bogota should be carried out by Colombian energy company Empresa de Energia de Bogota (EEB).

The UAE Government is planning improvements to the Emirates Road in Sharjah, work which is expected to cost over US$231 million.

The state Government in New South Wales (NSW), Australia is making a major investment designed to boost road safety. Some US$156 million (A$170 million) is being set aside.

The Hengqin New Area in China is to benefit from a new road infrastructure project. The China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC) is investing US$1.85 billion in the project, which will see 52km of main roads and 64km of secondary roads being built, as well as 53km of landscaping.

Concerns over range remain a major challenge to take-up of electric vehicles (EVs) in coming years. However the introduction of telematics in EVs to provide point of interest and alerts packages to make drivers aware of charging facilities could resolve range anxiety.

A contract worth US$491 million has been awarded for a new tolled highway section in Mexico City. The project will be carried out by Spanish firm OHL and local company Copri in a 50/50 joint venture agreement.

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) is carrying out road safety pilot programmes in Hartford, Connecticut and Syracuse, New York. These are intended to test whether increased law enforcement efforts can ensure that drivers stop using cell phones and focus instead on the road.

ContiTech's Transportbandsysteme division is expanding by buying the Moers facility from Metso Minerals. This factory makes the Flexowell and Pocketlift conveyor belts, which used in the extraction industries to transport loose bulk material up steep inclines.

Widening of a 3.5km stretch of the Tolo and Fanling Highways between Ma Wo and Tai Hang will now be carried out in Hong Kong.

Heavy investment in road infrastructure is planned for Brazil's northeast city of Natal. In all 16 separate road projects are planned to improve transport infrastructure in time for the 2014 World Cup.

Demonstrating superb manoeuvrability due to what its manufacturers Hidromek say is its “compact but powerful” design, the HMK62SS mini backhoe loader’s additional auxiliary hydraulic lines make it ideal for working in urban constructions and agricultural applications where space is often limited.