News

Funding has been secured to help pay for major improvements to Ukraine’s road network.

A new funding package has been agreed to help pay for Sri Lanka’s rural road development programme.

Russia is drawing up plans for bypasses around eight important cities. The construction work will commence in 2020. The cities are Nizhny Novgorod, Naberezhnye Chelny (both Volga), Ryazan, Ivanovo (both Central FD), Volgograd (South), Khasavyurt, Derbent, Vladikavkaz (all in North Caucasus). Some work has already been carried out for the Nizhny Novgorod bypass and the fourth phase of this particular project is expected to cost up to US$353 million.

A finance package worth nearly US$156 million will pay for essential road works in Malawi.

Portuguese manufacturer Candela says that its Corsafe anti-skid system has an anti-skid class S5 (≥ 0,65 SRT) rating, the highest for road marking material.

The tender process will be opened for a new highway project in Chile in early 2020, with technical and economic bids due in the first quarter. The project aims to widen and upgrade the Route 5 stretch connecting the cities of Talca and Chillan in central Chile. The project is expected to cost US$796 million and the route will be offered under a concession package lasting 25 years. The route is run under a concession by ISA Intervial at present, which is due to cease in June 2020.

Lithuania highway rebuild project planned

A major new road construction project is being planned for the historic city of Jerusalem in Israel. The project is intended to cut chronic congestion that occurs at one of the approaches to the city at peak periods. The work will see the new Highway 16 being built at a cost of US$275.6 million. The new route will connect Route 1 with Givat Shaul and will feature three interchanges at Motza, Nahal Revida and Bait Junction. The stretch of road will include two tunnel sections and is expected to open to traff

A new bridge project is being planned in Ecuador.

A new bridge project for Mexico’s Cancun tourist resort is expected cost US$239 million.

Colombia’s road development programme has delivered a major extension to the country’s overall network during 2019. The country’s national road institute, (Invias), says that 65 projects have been delivered to date during 2019. In all Invias has spent more than US$989 million on road projects and upgraded 1,336km of roads and built 70km of new roads during 2019. A further 13 road links have been designed during 2019.

A plan is now in hand to replace the American Legion Bridge in the US, which spans the Potomac River.

A new bridge project is being planned for Serbia. The structure will span the Zapadna Morava River. The expected cost of the work has not so far been disclosed. Building the bridge will however improve access for construction work on the Prejina to Pozega highway.

The Dutch Government has announced plans to reduce the speed limits on its highways during daytime. The limits will be lowered from 130km/h at present to 100km/h, as part of a plan to improve road safety. Although the Netherlands has a very good record on road safety overall, there was an increase in road deaths in 2018. This is a cause for concern as road deaths in 2018 were the highest for 10 years. The Dutch Government has cut down on enforcement of road traffic laws, which is thought to be one factor in