News

Brazil's transport infrastructure department (DNIT) is planning to carry out US$7.72billion in roadworks throughout the country during 2012, a spokesperson for the authority told BNamericas. The largest construction project entails widening 65km of federal highway BR-101 in the north-eastern state of Alagoas.

The Kenyan government is planning to invest US$4.82billion in a major multi-modal infrastructure project to reduce Nairobi’s traffic congestion. The Nairobi Metropolitan Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS) will include a new rail transport network, and a public road of 167km linking the city with key neighbouring towns and municipalities such as Athi River, Kikuyu, Kajiado, Kitengela, Limuru, Machakos, Ruiru and Thika. The MRTS project will be managed by Nairobi Metropolitan Transport Authority and the gov

The Tamil Nadu state government in southern India aims to build a 162km road connecting Chennai suburb Ennore and the town of Mamallapuram. State chief minister Jayaram Jayalalithaa said that a detailed report on the US$266.62million peripheral road project will be carried out soon. Meanwhile, the state government said that it intends to upgrade all 78.6km of existing roads, while another 83.2km of roads will also be laid soon.

Lafarge has opened a Construction Development Laboratory (CDL) in Mumbai, India to strengthen its product development capabilities. It will design building solutions and systems adapted to the needs of the growing and ever-moving Indian market, where Lafarge hopes to seize opportunities.

AUSA has opened a new subsidiary in Mexico to give the company a presence in a region. From Mexico, AUSA aims to strengthen its position in North America, said Paco Pérez Salinas, the company’s new sales director. Mexico also offers great growth potential.

JCB has won one of the biggest single tenders in its history with an order for more than 1,000 machines worth over £60million (US$96.6million) for the Brazilian government. The company said that it beat off competition from other major global manufacturers to secure the deal for the fleet of backhoe loaders, which will be used to improve the road infrastructure in the country. The first 114 of the 1,016 backhoes have now been delivered and the keys to one of the first machines handed over by Brazilian Pre

Volvo is increasing its stake in German engine firm Deutz to 25%. The two firms have had a technical partnership for engine development for some time and Volvo bought a minority share in the pioneering diesel firm some years ago. However this new development sees a new cementing of the relationship between the two companies. The move makes Volvo the largest single shareholder in Deutz, with a 25% stake in the firm. Volvo bought the 22 million shares in stock from SAME DEUTZ-FAHR, which now has just 8.4% of

Work is well underway on a massive highway project in Vietnam designed to boost transport connections between key cities. The country’s Ministry of Transport has announced that it expects to complete upgrading and widening work on National Highway I by the end of 2016. The upgraded highway will improve connections between the cities of Chan Tho and Hanoi. The project is being carried out under a build-operate-transfer model and has is expected to cost some US$4.27 billion.

In Peru the private Investment Promotion Agency (ProInversion) is now receiving bids for the Panamericana Sur road project, designed to connect with neighbouring Chile. The contract is due to be awarded on 2 July 2012. The project was put to tender in October 2010. The new route will measure some 430km. The fact that the project has now reached this advanced stage is a measure of how diplomatic relations have improved between Chile and Peru in recent years. Road links between the two nations are being upgra

In Russian capital Moscow the Department for Transport and Road Infrastructure has prepared a draft ordinance restricting heavy truck transport in hot weather. The document is introducing temporary traffic limitations for the transportation of heavy cargo. The restrictions apply to asphalt-concrete roads during 15th June – 15th August and applies when ambient temperatures top 32° C. The restrictions are not expected to last for more than 30 days. Traffic may also be restricted during road construction and r