Road Structures

A new link for Morroco’s road network will connect the port of Kénitra Atlantique to the country’s motorway system. Morocco’s Ministry of Infrastructure is commissioning a study to analyse the possible routes and feasibility for the new port link.

An upgrade of the route connecting Colombia’s capital Bogota with the second city of Medellin is now being considered. The plan would see the route being upgraded to a highway along a 120km stretch of the route, which would feature two lanes of traffic in either direction.

A major programme of road upgrades will help boost transportation in India’s Kerala State. Close to US$190 million will be invested in developing new road links in the state. In all 76 new road links are being planned. Funding is being provided by the Indian Government with the work being overseen by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) and the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB).

A new transport plan is envisaged for South Korea that involves the construction of a smart highway network. The aim of the programme is to optimise transport efficiency and capacity, with charging facilities for electric vehicles also included in the plans. South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport intends to add a further 1,000km of highways to the country’s overall network. Once the new highways are open to traffic South Korea will have a total highway network in excess of 5,100km.

Balfour Beatty has won a £35 million deal by Perth and Kinross Council to deliver the first phase of the Perth Transport Futures Project. Under the terms of the deal, Balfour Beatty will construct a new grade separated junction on the A9 dual carriageway as well as a new link road enabling access to development land to the west of Perth. This is the first of four phases of the Perth Transport Futures project, which aims to reduce congestion, boost transportation in the area and develop the local economy.

A major new highway link in Chile is now open to traffic. Sacyr Concesiones opened the 103.4km highway that connects the cities of Concepción and Cabrero. The link is located in Chile’s Bio Bío Region and cost US$360 million to develop, while it is expected to generate some $1.027 billion throughout the length of the concession period. Work to build the highway started in June 2012 and the link is intended to improve connectivity between Concepción and Cholguán in the Bio Bio Region, and will also join w