Road Structures

The project to upgrade the Pan-Borneo highway stretch in Malaysia is now facing a serious challenge. This follows a review of the project following the recent change in Malaysia’s administration. The joint venture between Ekovest Construction and Samling Resources that had been awarded the work has now had its contract rendered void. The joint venture’s deal was worth nearly US$528 million.

The tendering process for a key stretch of highway is underway in Kenya at present, attracting strong interest. The US$246.5 million project is the second phase of the upgrade for the Dongo Kundu bypass, with the work expected to take 36 months to complete and construction scheduled to commence in August 2018. The first phase of the project has been carried out by the Chinese contractor CCECC. The route is being improved to dual carriageway status, with two lanes in either direction, which will boost its

Contractor Constructora Meco has been awarded an extension to the package of works it is carrying out in Panama to upgrade the road running through Pedregal, Gonzalillo and Transistmica. The Costa Rican contractor was awarded the extension by Panama’s Ministry of Public Works (MOP). The work involves improvements to an 11km road section that will help improve traffic flow between the east and north of Panama City. The work was originally expected to cost US$97 million but has now increased to $127.8 million

Montreal’s US$3.24 billion Champlain Bridge across the St Lawrence River may not be open on time, according to a report by the independent Auditor General. The 3.4km cable-stayed bridge has two decks supporting three lanes of highway traffic in each direction. A third, central deck supports a mass transit system and a multi-use path. The new bridge will replace the nearby 50-year-old Champlain Bridge which has been deteriorating at an alarming rate. The government signed a contract in 2015 with a private

The project for an elevated toll road link in the Philippines has been awarded. The new Taguig Express Way (MTEX) will be constructed in the capital Manila jointly by Indonesian firm Wijaya Karya (Wika) and Citra Marga Nusaphala Persada. The project for the 18.2km MTEX link is costing US$832.8 million. This stretch will connect the Metro Manila Expressway and Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 with Makati, Manila and Pasig City.

Two major highway projects are now moving ahead in Texas. One project is for the Grand Parkway around Houston, the other is for the construction of three bridges at an interchange on US 290. Grand Parkway Infrastructure is to construct a stretch of the Highway 99 Grand Parkway, which will run around Houston. In all the project for the 295km gyratory highway is costing US$1.28 billion. The package of works was awarded by the Texas Department of Transportation and involves building extra toll lanes as well a

Miami-based firm IBT has completed its construction work on a highway link in Bolivia’s Chaco Region. The project cost US$84 million to carry out and is of importance to Bolivia, as it will improve transport connections and improve trade and tourism in the area. The improved route will also make a major boost to safety as the original road had the reputation of being one of the 10 most dangerous mountain roads anywhere in the world. The 61km highway project included moving 5.4 million m3 of earth before the