Road Structures

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.

Vietnam’s Van Don-Mong Cai highway is expected to cost US$471.4 million to construct. The 80km-long highway will be built in Quang Ninh Province in the north of the country. The route will feature two lanes in either direction and the project will be carried out under the build-operate-transfer, PPP model. Construction is expected to take 22 months to complete, with the work being carried out by a joint venture comprising Van Don Sun, Long Van Infrastructure Investment and Development and Cong Thanh

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.

A Terex TR 90 rough terrain crane has performed reliably and productively in tough operating conditions in Saudi Arabia. The crane was used for lifting numerous components for drilling rigs, generators, and a power distribution and control centre at a site for Nabros in Abqaiq, in Saudi Arabia. The machine was provided by Saudi Arabia-based heavy equipment service provider Expertise Contracting Company. The crane was transported to the work site in Abqaiq on a lowbed trailer, which took three hours to t

Manitowoc is setting up a new structure for its tower crane business in Africa. The firm’s self-erecting tower cranes (GMA cranes) and top-slewing cranes (GME cranes) are now being operated separately when it comes to production and product management. The company claims that this reorganisation allows for increased customer focus, market intelligence, operations efficiency and crane production. Being run independently in terms of production and product management, the new structure has the sole objectiv

Aggregates Industries recently lightened the load for the 73m-long bow string truss Acton Swing Bridge in England. When opened in 1933, it was the first floating swing bridge in the UK – floating on a pontoon. The 84-year-old bridge, which is cared for by the Canal & River Trust charity, carries the busy A49 road over the River Weaver Navigation, in the county of Cheshire. A recent €1.7 million complete refurbishment included strengthening works to the underside of the bridge as well as improvements to its