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Charging facilities for EVs have been proposed for the Illinois Tollway in the US. This is a landmark move as the busy I-924 route would be equipped with recharging capabilities along a 35km stretch, allowing for the future use of EVs along the tolled highway. The project is likely to cost as much as US$4 billion to implement, including studies into the necessary facilities required. The systems may well include lanes featuring the latest inductive charging technology, as well as charging stations.

The contracts for a major highway project in Romania have been awarded. The project is for the construction of the highway from Craiova to Pitesti. The Italian contractor, Tirrena Scavi, has a €76 million package of works to build an 18km stretch of the highway. Meanwhile local firms forming part of the Dorinel Umbrarescu Group have a €309 million package of works to build a 40km stretch of the route.

Private investors look likely to win the award of the San Jose to Cartago highway widening project in Costa Rica. The Highway 2 route connecting capital San Jose with Cartago will be widened so that it will carry three lanes in either direction. Feasibility studies into the project are underway and the work has an anticipated pricetag of US$400 million. Highway 2 is an important route for Costa Rica’s economy, which relies heavily on tourism. The route runs eastwards from San Jose to Cartago, then dips in

The project to upgrade the National Route 3 connecting the Peruvian cities of Huallanca and Huánuco will now go ahead. The project has been awarded to a Chinese contractor, China Railway 20 Bureau Group Corporation. The work is expected to cost US$375.25 million. At present the route features some sharp curves as it winds through the mountains, with the section close to Jacas Chico posing particular hazards, and the upgrade will help improve safety on the route.

STRABAG has increased its stake in the A8 motorway operator PANSUEVIA. This share has been boosted from 50% to 100%. PANSUEVIA operates the autobahn stretch that runs between Ulm and Augsburg in the south of the country. SRABAG purchased the 50% stake in PANSUEVIA that was previously held by HOCHTIEF. As a result, STRABAG is now the 100% owner of the concession company operating the Ulm–Augsburg section of the A8 autobahn. Both parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price however. This section of the

A new highway stretch is to be built in Russia’s Krasnodar region. The highway will run along the eastern coast of the Black Sea, connecting Dzhubga with Sochi. The highway will provide an improved connection between the new (and controversial) Kerch Strait bridge that runs to the Crimean Peninsula, Novorossiysk and Sochi, as well as the border with Georgia. The project looks likely to attract private financing.

The Netherlands is facing a problem with drivers being caught behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs. Police in the country began using a new testing system to identify drug use amongst drivers in mid-2017. Since that time, 1,250 drivers have been charged for driving under the influence of drugs. Of note is that around 60% of those charged with driving under the influence of drugs are aged between 18 and 30, while over 50% of the offenders had been using more than one drug at the time of arrest

A package of loans from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will help pay for key infrastructure projects in the country.

Work now looks ready to move ahead for an elevated highway project in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo. Funding has been secured in the shape of a loan worth US$300 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to help carry out the work. In all the work is expected to cost $360 million and involves building a 5.3km section of elevated highway. This new elevated route will be tolled for users when complete and will connect the new bridge spanning the Kelani River, which itself is due for completion in 2020

Morocco’s road network is being expanded and developed significantly. This is benefiting from an increased budget for transportation infrastructure from the Moroccan Government. The country expects to spend US$2.99 billion on developing its road network during the 2018-2021 time period, reaching a figure of $747.5 million/year. This is a notable increase from the $694.1 million/year spent during the 2012-2017 period and even more so from the $533.9 million/year spent in the 2008-2011 period.

Bridge repairs are being prioritised in France following a series of inspections, triggered by the recent bridge collapse in Italy. There are 23 bridges that form part of France’s national road network that require attention. In all 164 key bridges in France need work, although most of this is comparatively minor and of these 122 are the responsibility of road operators with the remaining 42 the responsibility of the French Government. Two of the bridges however are in urgent need of repairs. Increased main