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Costa Rica is looking into amending its processes for the development of road infrastructure projects. A new law would speed up awarding processes and accelerate the execution of works. Road infrastructure projects are crucial to the economic development of the country. New roads would benefit cargo transport operations and reduce travel times.

A major programme of infrastructure development is planned for the Colombian island of San Andres. The Colombian National Planning Department (DNP) intends to spend a healthy US$719.86 million into infrastructure development projects on San Andres between 2016 and 2020. This represents a 22% increase over the 2011-2014 budget for the island. Development projects include the upgrade of Avenida Circunvalar. The budget will include investment into new cycle facilities, public transportation and developing the

You thought you were good at backing up, until you saw you saw this video of the world’s best practitioner. Pedestrians and motorists in a small Norwegian town were recently surprised – shocked, in some cases - by the driver of a Volkswagen car with a trailer attached who insisted on backing up wherever he went. And he went everywhere, too.

The Indian Government has set out plans to award highway projects worth at least US$8.84 billion during the next fiscal year. These projects will be offered under the hybrid annuity model, according to a report in the Economic Times. KPMG has stated that some 21 projects for a total of 1,500km and worth close to a third of that sum will be granted by the Indian Government in the current fiscal year.

A new report suggests that making all vehicles autonomous could prevent up to 95% of all traffic crashes. But the report also highlights how government and industry need to urgently address the barriers to adoption, regulatory and insurance issues. This new report has been produced by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in the UK. It calls for urgent action by both government and industry to encourage the greater use of autonomous and driverless vehicles.

Finnish port crane manufacturer Konecranes, which plans to merge with Terex Corporation, said it will make annual cost savings of €25 million by the end of 2017. The company said that while merger talks with US manufacturer Terex continue, it needs to make efficiency savings. Around half of the savings will happen before the end of this year, according to a written statement. Plant down-sizing and closures are a possibility, as well as some streamlining of its product portfolio and its supply chain.

Work is now underway in Pakistan on the new Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab highway. This 193km highway is expected to cost close to US$124 million to construct. The Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab Road (M-8) in Pakistan will connect Gwadar Port with Quetta by connecting the port with the eastern, central and western routes of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Work is underway in Kazakhstan for a new bridge that will span the Irtysuh River. The new bridge will improve the road connections between Pavlodar and Aksu. The bridge is due for completion by December 2016. The cost of the project is some US$146.74 million. The 12.5km long bridge will be the largest in Central Asia when complete.

The Pan-European police body TISPOL is planning the first ‘European Day Without A Road Death’. Named EDWARD, this is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 21st September 2016. A donation from GEM will help finance publicity material and a kick-off event at which road safety professionals can share ideas and agree on ways of attracting positive coverage for Project EDWARD and for road safety in general.

Breining says that it is developing an innovating solution for slurry micro surfacing applications. Its new machine is said to be a modern solution to road maintenance needs, increasing the capacity of existing equipment. The firm has developed a new loading system for use with its slurry pavers as well as its Novasealers. This is said to allow a continuous flow into the machines carrying out slurry paving work, providing a higher quality finish. The unit also does away with the need for an overload truck