News

Volvo Construction Equipment has opened a new Competence Development Centre in Zhengzhou in partnership with local colleges and dealers to educate talented young people in technician training China's rapid urbanisation has meant that the construction machinery industry is developing quickly, and according the Five-Year Plan, the annual growth average for engineering machinery is projected to be more than 17%, while the annual output will be over US$900 billion Construction machinery will be a driving f

The commencement of work on a key road project in Mexico that will link Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido has now been delayed for 30 months. The project is expected to cost US$318 million to build and the construction work will start in January 2012. Once the highway is complete it will reduce the journey time between Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido from the current 6-7 hours to just 2-2.5 hours. Omega has awarded the work to contractor ICA. Delays with the project have been a result of Omega having difficulties in

Australia’s Government will invest US$12.4 billion (A$12.5 billion) on the country’s road network in the 2014-2015 financial year. This does represent a decline from the $16 billion (A$16.1 billion) invested in roads by the Australian Government in the last financial year however.

The authorities in the Russian city of St Petersburg will spend some US$514.6 million on road construction and reconstruction during 2012. The city authorities will use public and private partnerships to push ahead with planned road infrastructure projects. Private investors will be invited to participate in construction of two highways with bridges across the Neva River, a highway with a bridge at the intersection of Fayansovaya and Zolnaya streets, and the Northern highway #7 connecting Arsenalnaya embank

Plans are in hand in Canada for repairs to the Gardiner Expressway near Toronto over the next 10 years. The plans call for repair works worth US$147 million (C$150 million) in all. The City of Toronto in Canada will provide some $14.7 million/year (C$15 million/year) during the 10 year period. So far, around $2.94 million (C$3 million) has been spent on maintaining expressway and the spending is set to hit $9.8 million (C$10 million) for 2012. At the same time a solution is being sought with regard to concr

Funding is being established for the Shoubra-Banha highway project planned for Egypt. The National Bank of Egypt is bringing together a consortium of lenders that will provide the syndicated loan required. The Shoubra-Banha highway project is planned by the Egyptian Transportation Ministry. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the General Authority for Roads, Bridges and Land Transport and the National Bank of Egypt. Construction of the 40km stretch of highway, which will carry 125,00

The famous Spaghetti Junction in Birmingham, central England marks its 40th birthday this week. A firm divider of opinion among the millions of motorists that use it each year, its sprawling concrete arteries at junction six of the M6 connect the A38(M) Aston Expressway into central Birmingham. Officially opened on 24 May 1972, the Gravelly Hill Interchange – Spaghetti Junction’s official name - took four years to build and cost between £9m and £10m. It was subsequently dubbed Spaghetti Junction by newspap

European road safety targets and casualty reduction plans are to benefit from meeting the 2013 deadline for cross border enforcement. The member states will have to meet the deadline of 7th November 2013 for the Cross Border Enforcement Directive, or risk facing infringement proceedings. The issue is a key one as many drivers commit offences in EU nations other than their own, without having to face penalties. Bureaucracy makes it hard for drivers to face penalties when they return home. In some instances t

A report by Goldman Sachs reveals Russia’s requirement for further infrastructure investment. The report, Russian Infrastructure and Construction, shows that investments in transport corresponded to 1.5-1.7% of GDP in 2005-2010. For Russia’s total infrastructure needs, including power networks and communications, spending equated to 3.7-4.3% of GDP. But the report shows Russia should allocate at least 3.5-4.5% of its GDP to infrastructure while maintenance of existing infrastructure should make up about 50%