News

Improving road safety is a key development priority for Africa

The first section of a key road project in Costa Rica will be completed in late 2019. The work is for the 2.25km-long flyover on the Northern Ring Road (Circunvalacion Norte). This first section being opened will provide a connection between the Leon XIII and the Calle Blancos routes. The first four stages of the Circunvalacion Norte project are costing around US$163 million to construct, with the flyover stretch being the most costly and complex portion of the work. Funding from the Central American Bank

London’s ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) system is already proving successful. In the first month since the scheme was introduced, the number of non-compliant vehicles entering the charging zone has been reduced by 9,400/day, a drop of 26%. According to the latest research, 74% of vehicles entering the ULEZ have been in compliance with the emission requirements.

A programme of works aimed at eliminating all the rail crossings in Australia’s Victoria State is being established. The work is expected to cost US$705 million (A$1 billion). Eight level crossings will be removed in the north of Melbourne during 2019. In all, 75 level crossings in Melbourne will be removed by 2025. The aim of the plan is to improve safety, replacing the level crossings with either bridges or underpasses.

The tender process is now underway for the massive tunnel project for Guangzhou City in China. The tunnel will measure 5.3km in length and the project will also include building approach roads measuring a total of 3.6km. The new tunnel will be built in the city’s Nansha District and will provide a connection under the Zhujiang River Estuary. Building the tunnel and the associated connecting roads is expected to cost US$618 million.

Construction work is underway on the 8km Karavanke Tunnel connecting Austria and Slovenia. The work is being carried out at present from the Austrian end of the tunnel link. However the selection process for the contractor to handle the Slovenian end of the tunnel is now underway. Six firms have shown interest in the project and are in talks with the Slovenian state motorway operator, DARS.

One of the contractors working on the demolition of the Morandi Bridge in the city of Genoa in Italy is facing a serious legal issue. The firm, Tecnodem, has been hit by an anti-Mafia ruling. This has come into effect due to alleged links between a senior employee and the Camorra groups. The authorities in Genoa have been carrying out background checks on the numerous companies and employees working on the Morandi Bridge demolition works.

The design of a stretch of Chile’s Americo Vespucio Oriente (AVO) highway has been revealed.

An important new road section is expected to cut congestion in the area around the city of Constantine once it opens to traffic.

Western Australia is planning a series of transport upgrades across the state. Road projects will be prioritised, with US$2.96 billion (A$4.2 billion) being planned as a budget. Around half of this budget will be used to develop regional roads in the state. Major works are being carried out include the $1.41 billion extension of the Tonkin Highway to connect with the South Western Highway and also to reduce congestion at Swan River. It also includes work on the Bunbury Outer Ring Road worth $600 million, t

The Australian project to build the East West Link in Melbourne, Victoria State now looks to be revived. Financing worth US$2.82 billion (A$4 billion) is being provided by the Australian Federal Government. The project is expected to cost $4.93 billion (A$7 billion) in all. The link will connect the Eastern Freeway with the CityLink, carrying an expected 80,000-100,000 vehicles/day and cutting congestion in the east of Melbourne. The project was previously halted in 2014.