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The number of older drivers on the US road network continues to increase. According to the latest data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the number of drivers on the US road network hit a record- high in 2016 at 221.7 million. Of these, 41.7 million are 65 years or older. This age group is growing faster than any other, and is far outpacing their teenage counterparts.

Work on a new bridge crossing over the Rhine River is now commencing. The site of the bridge lies close to Leverkusen and the link will carry traffic for the A1 Autobahn route. The new bridge will replace an existing structure that is in a poor state, as well as being unable to cope with current traffic demand. The project to build the new bridge however has been subject to some legal issues as its construction requires supports to be erected on a former landfill site thought to contain industrial contamina

A complex construction contract is being considered for Colombia’s capital, Bogota. Work is expected to commence for the Avenida Longitudinal de Occidente (ALO) south road project in 2019. This 24km dual carriageway link will be complex to construct as it will feature 46 bridges, as well as two intersections. Construction work is expected to cost in the region of US$336 million. The work will be carried out in two sections, with a 14.4km link from the Bogota River to the Muna Intersection. However the feasi

Work on highway upgrading will commence in Argentina’s Jujuy Province in 2018. In all 93km of the National Routes 34, 66 and IV66 will be improved and upgraded in the project. The World Bank is providing a loan worth US$300 million to pay for the work, which is expected to cost $311 million in all.

Financing has now been secured for a key highway project in Colombia. The project is for the Bogota-Girardot 4G road concession, with a loan from Colombia's national development bank, Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional (FDN), providing the necessary financing.

Official approval has been given for construction of a new Western bypass around Krasnodar in Russia. The PPP project is expected to cost US$515.4 million and the new link will provide a connection with the M4 Don federal highway. However it is also recognised that the cost of the tolled highway project could increase. The bypass will feature two lanes in either direction and will measure close to 53km long. Included in the project will be the construction of three interchanges, four bridges and 10 overpass

Approval has been given for a new port tunnel connection project in Sri Lanka. The project will be carried out under the PPP model and will connect capital Colombo with Port City. The work will be carried out by with CHEC Port City Colombo, a subsidiary of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

A new bridge will span the Uda River in Russia. This will be the third crossing over the river and will be constructed at Ulan-Ude in Siberia. The project is worth US112.8 million. Financing has yet to be finalised. The project will be carried out under the PPP model.

With the official go ahead being given for a new expressway in Poland’s southern Silesia Region, tendering can now commence. This last stretch of the S1 expressway will run from Bielsko-Biala to Zwardon and will measure 8.5km long. Tendering is now starting for the project, which is expected to cost in the region of €351.25 million and should take two years to build. This new road project forms part of the 2014-2023 National Road Construction Programme.

Key routes in England are to be upgraded as part of a programme of works worth a mighty €33.9 billion (£30 billion) plan from 2020 to 2025. This five year plan from Highways England will see many of the major A road routes being reclassified as A(M) expressways. These will resemble motorways in many respects, with new on and off ramps and additional lanes being constructed. The A14 stretch between Cambridge and Huntingdon will be one of the first stretches to be upgraded in such a fashion. This is an

A new highway project is being planned in Hungary. The project calls for the construction of a new section of the M44 dual carriageway. The proposed section would link Lakitelek with Tiszakurt, measuring 10km. The construction of this section will include building two major intersections as well as a 556m long bridge spanning the Tisza River. The project is being planned by the Hungarian national infrastructure development company, NIF, which is handling the tendering process. The estimated cost of the work

Germany’s roads have seen an overall reduction in traffic-related fatalities during 2017. The figures from the official body Destatis reveal a drop of 1% for road deaths in 2017, compared with 2016. With road deaths expected at around 3,170 for 2017 (final figures are still being compiled), this represents a significant drop from the 4,009 killed on Germany’s roads in 2011. However the German Government is still pushing ahead with halving the road death rate seen in 2010 by 2020, which would lower traffic d

The Sultanate of Oman has produced a guide for road design and standardisation of roads and bridges in the Persian Gulf of state. The Times of Oman reported that the four-volume guide was launched by Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, minister of transport and communications. The first and the second volume cover design of roads and bridges. The third volume is for standard construction specifications. The guide also includes the most important amendments to the regulations and safety of traffic to come in