News

The US-based American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) has revealed its response to plans by the US Government to invest in infrastructure. According to ARTBA, the current US Administration has proposed investing a total of US$128 billion in transportation for 2012 financial year.

Canada's Ontario Province is budgeting US$138.5 million for road and bridge projects.

Taiwan's Suao-Hualien highway is being upgraded in a project worth US$1.26 billion. The work will reduce congestion, improve safety and cut journey times on the link.

Work on the eastern section of Sao Paulo's Mario Covas orbital highway is being given the official go-ahead. Approval has been given by Sao Paulo's state environmental agency Consema for the 44.5km extension of the highway.

Dana Holding Corporation and Bosch Rexroth are planning to establish a joint venture partnership operation to co-develop and manufacture advanced drive transmissions for the off-highway, construction equipment market.

Colombian city Cali is spending a healthy US$300 million on major road infrastructure projects. These are scheduled to commence in the second half of 2010.

Some US$550 million is being spent on the Oruro-Cochabamba-Colomi and Montero-Villa Tunari-Cristal Mayu highways in Bolivia.

Three key highway upgrade projects are planned in Panama. Improvement work on the Divisa-Las Tablas road is being split into two sections while the third is for upgrades to the David-Boquete road and the total value of these three contracts has been estimated at US$283 million.

The recent Intertraffic road traffic technology exhibition in Amsterdam reached record proportions for its 20th edition.

The planned sale of the Autopista Central tolled highway in Chile is being delayed following the country's recent severe earthquake.

A new plan has been put forward by Vietnam's Ministry of Investment and Planning for PPP infrastructure projects including highways.

Panama's Government is giving its approval for changes to the contract for the second stage of the Madden-Colon highway.

In Tajikistan a contract has now been awarded for the new Dushanbe - Khujand - Chanak highway.

The US State of Ohio is planning an increase in spending on road construction for 2010. The authorities intend to increase spending by 30% over previous years to some US$2 billion.