News

The Malaysian authorities are setting out plans to upgrade a key link in the country, the 62km Segamat-Tangkak road. The project to widen the road and improve its capacity is likely to commence in mid 2011 and cost in excess of US$229 million. At present the Malaysian Public Works Ministry is preparing the tender process and is finalising the design.

US president Barack Obama has received a highly critical open letter from Pete Ruane, president of the US-based American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). The letter questions the lack of progress in the delivery of a long-term surface transportation bill by the US Government. This bill is now 15 months behind schedule, which has resulted in a knock-on effect for the already struggling US construction sector.

Finnish capital Helsinki may introduce congestion charging by 2016. The plan would see drivers in the city being charged for using their vehicles at peak periods, although off-peak night-time driving would be free. Other European cities such as Swedish capital Stockholm, Norwegian capital Oslo and UK capital London already have congestion charging. Other UK cities including Manchester and Edinburgh have previously considered but rejected congestion charging schemes however.

Overall, Russia is to benefit from a major highway investment programme. The Federal Transport Development Programme will feature a budget of $21.5 billion for the 2010-2015 period. Some $15.1 billion is to be allocated for highway construction and repairs. Russian city St Petersburg and the surrounding the Leningrad region will see the start of major investment in infrastructure during 2011. The road sector will benefit strongly, with projects underway including the southern section of the Western High Spe

Peru's Callejon de Huaylas-Chacas-San Luis road is to be improved and upgraded in a deal worth US$145 million. The road lies in the Ancash region and will be upgraded over a 99km stretch under the plan. The improvement work will be carried out by the Brazilian contractor Odebrecht, which is already active in the Peruvian market. This road upgrade forms part of Peru's plan to boost its transport links and help develop the economy.

Plans are in hand to build a 55km highway in Kosovo to link capital Pristina with Skopje, the capital of neighbouring Macedonia.

The Transport Ministry in Kuwait is looking to improve road safety and is at present evaluating different strategies to reduce the vehicle accident rate in the country.

The French Government has agreed a highway contract with consortium Atlandes for a section of the A63 autoroute in southwest France.

The Italian island of Sicily is to benefit from major investment in its road network, in a move designed to help boost its economy.

Work on Uganda's Mbarara-Ntungamo road project will commence in March 2011.

A controversy is brewing in France over the condition of the country's road network.

A European and Indian partnership is teaming up to tackle tendering for major highway projects in India.