News

Ashtrom Group will plan and construct a variety of new transport infrastructure in Israel after securing a US$189.92million (ILS750mn) contract from the Israel National Roads Company. As well as implementing the construction of the southbound section of Road 20 in Herzliya, Ashtrom will build a railway interchange connecting the coastal line with the Sharon line, build the Maapilim Interchange linking Herzliya Pituah and Kfar Shmaryahu, complete the Seven Stars Interchange, expand the Herzliya train station

Two major transport infrastructure projects in Vietnam with a combined value of more than US$2billion are a step closer to completion. A tender to appoint a contractor for the US$1.47billion Danang-Quang Ngai highway development has been published by Vietnam Expressway Corp (VEC).

Fiat Industrial (FI) has been given a US$439.9million (€350mn) loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support its research and development work for its industrial, commercial and agricultural vehicles. Powertrain technologies, new emission standard components, and innovative vehicle architecture with a focus on safety are among the areas of current FI R&D.

The UK's Department for Transport has unveiled new guidance that will make it easier for 40mph (64km/h) speed limits to be imposed on quiet rural roads. These roads currently have a typical speed limit of 60mph but the Government is keen to change this in a bid to reduce road casualties. The latest figures from the government show that there were 1,901 road deaths in 2011, a three per cent increase on 2010. In 2010, 68 per cent of road deaths occurred on rural roads, of which almost 50 per cent had a speed

In October 2012, an electric car rental service will be unveiled by Seoul City in South Korea to promote eco-friendly transportation. A total of 200 electric cars will be provided by the city for the car sharing service programme that will be unveiled in collaboration with two firms, with a target to ease traffic congestion, cut air pollution and save energy. The two companies that will join the programme are Korea Car Sharing and LG CNS, under a deal sealed with the city.

Foreign companies aiming to deliver lucrative infrastructure projects in Qatar will need to reconsider their tender process approach, according to experts assembled at the MEED Qatar Infrastructure Projects conference in London. Participating speakers said international contractors need to be more strategic about their business development practices in the Gulf state and act more transparently during the bid phase to improve tender conversion rates.

The International Road Federation (IRF) in Geneva has a new Acting Director General after the departure of its Director General Sibylle Rupprecht. Susanna Zammataro replaces Ms Rupprecht having served under her as IRF Geneva Deputy Director General. Commenting on Ms Rupprecht’s departure Kiran Kapila, chairman of the IRF Geneva Programme Centre, said: “On behalf of the Executive Committee, the Board, and all IRF Members, we would like to thank Ms Rupprecht for her commitment and contributions to IRF over th

Fiat Industrial (FI) plans to create a new holding company by merging with CNH, the construction and agricultural equipment manufacturer it already has a controlling 88% stake in. Under the FI plans the combined new holding company would be incorporated in the Netherlands, with a primary stock market listing in New York and a secondary listing in Europe.

An innovative large tunnel construction project is going ahead in Maastricht, the Netherlands. The 2.3km link forms part of a €683 million project, and is the first two-tier tunnel in the country. It will boost capacity and reduce congestion.

Two new bridges are planned that will span the Durance river in France. They will link the Bouches-du-Rhône and Vaucluse departments in South Eastern France. The new bridges are required as the two existing bridges are no longer sufficient to cope with traffic requirements. The two bridges are scheduled to be ready for traffic in early 2014, and this represents an investment of €52 million.

Bidding is now underway for a road project in Northern Ireland. Several joint venture groups are tendering for the €699 million A5 Western Transport Corridor project, which is being split into three sections.