News

A huge budget for transport development has been set by the authorities in China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region. The US$3.2 billion (RMB 22 billion) budget for 2017 represents a 13.8% increase over the figures for 2016, revealing the extra focus being given to upgrading the region’s transport network. Of the budget, $1.454 billion will be used to boost the region’s network of highways. The Ningxia Hui autonomous region is located in the north of China and has a comparatively low population density, so this

Siemens has agreed to supply its satellite-based prioritisation system Sitraffic Stream to the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik Reykjavik and the Icelandic Road and Coastal administration (Vegagerd rikisins) are sharing the system that ensures traffic lights automatically turn green for emergency and urban public transport vehicles at road intersections. The system has been installed at six intersections in the centre of the capital. Over the coming months, around 50 fire trucks and ambulances will be fitted

The US city of Kingman, on the iconic trans-American Route 66, has chosen the Opticom GPS pre-emption traffic solution from Global Traffic Technologies. The system from GTT works alongside intersection controllers to ensure emergency vehicles move through intersections rapidly and safely. The Opticom solution includes a GPS component for location and wireless communications between authorised vehicles and the intersections which they approach. When an emergency vehicle on call needs to navigate an int

The Dutch province of South Holland has awarded the contract for building the Rijnland Route to the consortium Comol5, according to consortium member Vinci. Rijnland Route will connect Katwijk, via the A44, to the A4 at Leiden. Comol5 consists of TBI companies Mobilis and Croonwolter&dros (25% each), DIMCO - DEME Infra Marine Contractors - (25%) and Vinci Construction Grands Projets (25%). Value of the contract is €492 million. The consortium will be responsible for the reconstruction of the Leiden

The organiser of the SaMoTer 2017 construction equipment exhibition, Veronafiere, is gearing up for this coming event and is bullish about the show’s coming impact for the industry. A strong showing for both exhibitors and visitors is expected, with the event being Europe’s premium construction equipment launch venue for 2017. As a result many of the world’s major construction equipment manufacturers will be unveiling sophisticated new machines at the event, which is being held in the Italian city of Verona

A US$1.5 billion Interstate project is being put forward for approval in the US State of Texas. The LBJ East project is being proposed the city of Dallas and will be an 18km stretch of Interstate 635 that will connect Central Expressway with Interstate 30. The project has been planned by the Texas Transportation Department and is intended to boost capacity in the areas around Lake Highland, Garland, Far East Dallas and Mesquite. The proposed route calls for two of the seven lanes on the widened Interstate s

Uzbekistan is introducing a new road development programme. The majority of the necessary funding for the work is being provided by the World Bank (WB). The financing for the projects is being delivered in the shape of a series of loans worth a total of US$200 million, although the specific terms of deal have not so far been released. In all 394km of roads are being rebuilt under the programme, which is intended to boost transport in the country. Some $240 million is required in all to pay for Uzbekistan’s

Strong interest is being reported in two road project tenders in Brazil. The tenders are being handled by Artesp, the transport agency for Sao Paulo State. So far as many as 140 interested parties have registered for the tenders of two roadway stretches. The first of these tenders will be auctioned on the 22nd February 2017 while the second will be auctioned on the 25th April 2017. These interested parties include at least 30 road operators and 15 banks, and include firms from Europe, Asia and the Middle Ea

Haver & Boecker claims that its NIAflow plant simulation software can help producers optimise quarry operations. The company is also offering new screening grid options that can improve screening performance. The NIAflow package can be used to boost the efficiency of plant throughput, realign machine location and deliver product pre-calculations. This package can be used for existing or proposed processes and records plant status as well as identifying plant optimisation options. The software is availabl

A new tunnel project in the Philippines is to be constructed with the help of Japanese funding. The project calls for the building of a new tunnel section connecting the centre of Davao City with its southern tip. Necessary funding for the work is being provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The official development assistance (ODA) loan being provided by the JICA is worth US$232.74 million. The new Davao City bypass construction project in 2015 will be developed using Japanese exper

Work on the construction of the Swat Expressway in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is now commencing. Financial assistance for the project worth US32.6 million is being provided by Saudi Arabia. In all the project is expected to cost $364.35 million to construct however. The work calls for the building of a 113km highway that features four lanes, boosting transport Connections in Pakistan’s Swat area.