News

The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) is forming an independent commission to help implement the new, industry-developed “Safety Certification for Transportation Project Professionals (SCTPP) programme. The SCTPP Commission will be led by the chief executive officers of two of the largest transportation construction firms in the United States. Both are passionate safety advocates. David Walls, president & CEO of Austin Industries, based in Dallas, Texas, and Ross Myers, chairma

Demand for cement and concrete additives will grow to US$4 billion by 2020.

A European-wide construction material recycling strategy should be put in place as soon as possible, according to the European Quality Association for Recycling. EQAR made the call during its annual Congress in the Slovakian capital Bratislava, Slovakia, and on the occasion of its 10th anniversary. In his inaugural address, EQAR president Manfred Wierichs said that recycling of construction material differs greatly among European Union states. This is the case even though construction material recycli

Funding is being sought for a major highway project in Pakistan. The country’s National Highway Authority (NHA) is looking for international investors for the project to construct a 296km highway. Located in Pakistan’s Sindh Province, the route would connect with other highways being developed with the benefit of Chinese funding. For the Sindh Province highway project, Pakistan is hoping to source funding from various countries including China, Malaysia, South Korea and Turkey.

Construction work is proceeding ahead of schedule for the new Delhi expressway project in India. This US$862 million project now looks likely to be ready for traffic by August 2017. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), originally planned for the Delhi Eastern Peripheral Expressway to be completed by July 2018. Work on the 135km project started in May 2016. The highway project is a novel development for India as it will be the first in the country to be solar powered. It will also feature around

The governments of Bangladesh and China have been discussing the possibiilty of investments in infrastructure. China will invest some US$50 billion in helping Bangladesh develop its infrastructure network. Transport will be a key priority. Key projects will include an elevated expressway and a four lane highway, as well as a new rail link and the Karnafuli River Tunnel.

A new poll from the US-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers has revealed widespread frustration over the current state of the country’s infrastructure. Nearly half of the respondents said that infrastructure has gotten worse in the last five years. And 80-90% said that roads and bridges are in need of repair. Meanwhile, 49% of respondents believe the federal government should do more to improve infrastructure according to the poll. And roughly 70% say that increasing funding has a positive impact on

Upgrade work is now underway for Hanoi’s Ring Road 3 project. The work is expected to cost US$138.3 million. The planned road improvement works are being carried out along a 5.5km section of the route, widening the highway to six lanes and installing five pedestrian bridges. The aim of the work is to cut congestion as the existing stretch of road experiences long traffic delays at peak periods.

Thailand's Transport Ministry is opening the tender process for over US$9.87 billion worth of infrastructure projects. Included amongst the 11 projects being put out to tender are the 98km Bang Yai-Kanchanaburi and 196km Bang Pa-in-Saraburi-Nakhon Ratchasima highways. These two highway projects both have values in excess of $865.75 million. Meanwhile plans to open the tender for the Tao Pun-Rat Burana highway extension project will open between December 2016 and May 2017.

Discussions between Argentina and Chile over the new Agua Negra tunnel to connect the two countries are proving fruitful. A bi-national commission is overseeing the project and assessing bids, with the construction work expected to cost in the region of US$1.5 billion. Technical proposals will have to be submitted by February 2017, with economic bids made by May 2017. The winner of the tender could be announced in early 2018, with the first excavation work then commencing in late 2018 or early 2019. This wi

Guntert & Zimmerman (G&Z) and Miller Formless Company (MFS) are forming an alliance of their sales, marketing, and service divisions. The two companies will share industry knowledge, establish a common dealer network, and market each other’s products and services. The partnership will allow the two firms to provide a full range of concrete construction machinery and related equipment to the industry. In addition, the companies also intend to collaborate on advancements in technology and machine design. M

Construction work for the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing (TSRC) viaduct in Queensland is now underway. The 800m viaduct is a key component of the US$1.21 billion (A$1.6 billion) project to provide a new bypass around Toowoomba. This will mean traffic passing through will no longer have to pass through the central business district and instead will be routed along the highway bypass, boosting transport and safety.