News

Work is progressing on track for construction of the new highway linking Albania’s capital Tirana with the city of Elbasan. The Albanian Public Works Ministry expects the Tirana-Elbasan highway to be opened in the second quarter of 2013. Contractors Aktor and Copri are working on the project and most of the major engineering work has been completed. The project is being funded by backers including the Islamic Bank of Development and the OPEC Fund, as well as the Albanian Government.

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Cummins are setting up a joint venture to produce engines in South Korea for the earthmoving equipment market. The two companies are investing US$33 million each into the project, which will be called Hyundai Cummins Engine Company and will have its factory located in Daegu. Production is scheduled to commence in 2014, with capacity reaching 50,000 engines/year once the facility is fully commissioned.

New Holland is introducing new models of heavy-duty crawler excavators. The E385C and E485C are in the 35tonne and 48tonne category respectively. New Holland said that they have been built to deal with the most demanding applications and harshest conditions. The latest models offer more power and fast cycles with new Tier 4 interim engines and new hydraulics. Fuel consumption is improved through the new hydraulics and new ECO working mode.

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers is holding a massive mining and earthmoving equipment auction tomorrow, on the second day of the Grand Opening auction at its new permanent auction site in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. More than 1,700 heavy equipment items will be featured in the Raleigh-Durham auction, including more than 300 pieces of mining and earthmoving equipment.

A feasibility study has been completed for a new six-lane highway linking the Algerian port of Oran with the East-West highway. The preliminary study was carried out by Canadian company SM International while the feasibility study was undertaken by French firm INGEROP International. Algeria’s Government is investing US$253.4 million in the project, which will include upgrades to surrounding roads to relieve traffic congestion in the area. The project will require extensive earthmoving, excavation and reinfo

A lack of sufficient road maintenance poses future problems for Belgium’s road network. Unless investment is made, the Belgian road network will become overcrowded and dilapidated by 2020. Belgium's Planning Office says that this could result in travel speeds falling 29% from 2008 to 2030 due to congestion and with a corresponding rise in journey times.

In Malaysia the government is setting aside a budget for a major package of road construction works in Sabah. The three new road upgrades will help ease traffic congestion at peak periods and the Works Ministry plans to open the tender process shortly. Some US$ 196.5 million will be spent on improving the 42km road that connects Jalan Dongongon and Simpang Papar. A budget of $140.8 million has been set for upgrades to the 81.5km road connecting Tawau and Semporna.

Wirtgen Group expects to achieve record net sales of €1.8 billion in 2012, according to joint company president Jürgen Wirtgen. The performance forecast for the German road building and quarrying equipment manufacturer – a slight rise on 2011 net sales of €1.76 billion – was revealed as Jürgen and brother and co-Wirtgen Group president, Stefan Wirtgen, told a press conference at the recent Wirtgen Mineral Technology Days event about the company’s sales push in emerging markets.

Wirtgen Group expects to achieve record net sales of €1.8 billion in 2012, according to joint company president Jürgen Wirtgen. The performance forecast for the German road building and quarrying equipment manufacturer – a slight rise on 2011 net sales of €1.76 billion – was revealed as Jürgen and brother and co-Wirtgen Group president, Stefan Wirtgen, told a press conference at the recent Wirtgen Mineral Technology Days event about the company’s sales push in emerging markets.

Indonesia’s capital Jakarta faces a growing problem due to severe traffic congestion, which is particularly intense at peak periods. Increasing vehicle numbers in the city mean that the existing traffic problem is fast getting worse. The authorities are looking at policies to address the issue. Official data suggests that vehicle numbers are increasing by 9%/year, equivalent to an additional 1,117 vehicles taking to the city’s roads every day.

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (RBA) aims to sell more than 2,450 equipment items and trucks in a two-day unreserved public auction at its Bolton, Ontario auction site starting tomorrow. Equipment available to the highest bidder includes 115 truck tractors, 54 hydraulic excavators, 46 wheeled loaders, 33 crawler tractors, 30 loader backhoes, as well as a great selection of forestry equipment and cranes. All equipment will be sold without minimum bids or reserve prices.