News

Doosan has launched a new range of crawler excavators intended for Central and South American markets. It comprises the DX225LCA (operating weight 21.5-23.2tonnes), DX300LCA and the 35tonne DX340LCA models, which replace the previous Solar range, and which are said to offer a new design and features particularly suited to the specific needs of the South American markets. New functionalities and technical improvements include a Doosan Tier 2 compliant engine “ideal for use in South America” and offering fue

Sicilian regional authorities are to receive US$1.94 billion (€1.5bn) from the European Union to carry out highways and other infrastructure projects. Of the overall sum, €500 million is to be allocated to road systems and environment projects.

Traffic jams in the UK are costing the country's 8.2 million drivers US$683.31 million (£426mn) a year in wasted fuel, according to an estimate in a report by the analytics firm Inrix. The cost, which equates to £52 a vehicle, is on top of an estimated wasted driver time cost of £2.7bn. Out of the traffic on the country's roads during the day Inrix states that 19% is freight, with business vehicles passing on £1.1 billion of costs every year to consumers in order to cover the cost of them waiting in traffic

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) in Costa Rica is planning to invite tenders to design a 4km-5km four lane flyover that will link Calle Blancos with Zapote during 2013. Achieving some progress on the delayed 5km Circunvalacion Norte ring road project is also said to be a MOPT priority. A tender for the design of the toll-less flyover is due to be launched in January 2013, with construction earmarked to start in 2014. It is expected to be completed after 18 months. Expropriations are not req

Russia will spend some of its revenues from its oil industry on improving its road network. Some 350km of Federal Roads were built in Russia in 2011 and 230km of Federal Roads have been constructed in Russia so far during 2012. Spending on Russia’s Federal Roads was US$$12.7 billion during this year. The investment in Russia’s Federal Roads is expected to increase to $14.6 billion in 2013, and to $16.6 billion by 2015. The work is needed as just 30% of Federal Roads currently meet requirements. And in capit

The Polish Transport Ministry is prioritising development work for its highway and dual carriageway network. With limits on funds available, the Transport Ministry has decided that the major routes will be first to receive investment. However work to a number of bypasses that were due to be built will now be delayed and possibly, abandoned altogether. These include bypasses around Olsztyn, Gora Kalwaria and Pultusk. Some €10.44 billion will have been invested by the Polish Government on roads in the period

Work is said to be progressing on track in Indonesia with the Trans-Sumatra tolled highway. Construction of the section linking Aceh and Lampung Provinces looks set to be completed by the end of 2014 and is expected to open for traffic in early 2015. So far the work looks to cost in the region of US$625 million, with work being carried out by Hutama Karya. Meanwhile plans are also in hand for a new toll road for heavy trucks only that will connect West Java's Citibung and North Jakarta's Tanjung Priok Port.

The Highways Agency has announced the winners and highly commended entrants for the second year of its supplier recognition scheme. The scheme recognises suppliers who are deemed to be demonstrating class-leading performance in driving down costs and delivering increasingly efficient and effective customer services, promoting best practice in the Agency’s supply chain. The annual recognition programme highlights the important contribution made by the Agency’s suppliers, who play a vital role in supporting t

In the Philippines, companies have been called by the Millennium Challenge Account-Philippines (MCA-P) to bid for a segment of the Samar road project. The MCA-P will be holding a pre-bid conference for potential bidders on 9 January, 2013 and sealed bids are to be submitted by 28 February, 2013. The Samar road project is aimed at upgrading the Wright-Taft-Borongan-Guiuan Road stretching 222km from Western to Eastern Samar.

The Latin American Development Bank (CAF) has granted a loan of US$ 200 million for the modernisation and upgrading of roads in São Paulo, Brazil. The works will include 11 roads covering 316km through 27 municipalities of the state of São Paulo. Of those eleven projects, nine have international concessions.

Concrete roads connecting rural clusters with a population of 250 or more across the Indian state of Bihar are to be built over the next five years. According to Bihar chief minister, Nitish Kumar, the clusters will be connected with single metalled road to help grow the state's economy. Kumar said Bihar will spend US$4.22 billion (INR230 billion) building more than 34,000km of roads under the Mukhya Mantri Gram Sampark Yojna scheme.

The authorities in China are keen for increased use of electric vehicles as part of a plan to reduce pollution in major cities, and as part of a wider programme aimed at lowering the environmental impact from mobility. Fuel costs are comparatively high in China, further encouraging drivers to switch to electric vehicles, at least for urban trips. And electric-assist bicycles as well as scooters are already popular in Chinese cities, highlighting the strong potential market for electric cars in the country.