Asphalt study suggests future growth
A new report by the US-based Freedonia Group estimates that world demand for asphalt will grow 2.1%/year from the low in 2008 to 108 million tonnes in 2013.
Improving rural roads, fighting poverty
IRF Geneva's Innovation Award for Road Transport in Developing Countries (InARoaD) proved a showcase for initiatives that are having a real impact on global efforts to fight poverty by opening rural access, including this inspirational project from Nepal
Infrastructure investment will help construction jobs
The construction equipment manufacturing industry has been hit hard by the recession worldwide. Profits for 2009 reveal the sharp drop in business that began escalating around the globe during the third quarter of 2008. The problems have been most acute in the market for compact utility equipment
Highway developments in India
A major highway deal has been agreed for a road project in Gujarat, India, worth an estimated US$810.8 million. It will be handled under the build, finance, operate and transfer basis and will involve upgrading and widening to six lanes a 102km section of National Highway 8 (NH-8) from Ahmedabad-Vadodara. The project also includes upgrading 92km of the existing Ahmedabad-Vadodara expressway. Work is expected to take three years to complete, and the 25-year concession deal for the project has been agreed bet
Conference focuses on road design software
Trimble Dimensions 2009 takes a hard look at opportunities in a tough economy If attendance is the standard by which user conferences are measured, then Trimble Dimensions 2009 should be considered a success. The conference, which took place from 23-25 February at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, USA, hosted more than 2,400 attendees, slightly exceeding last year. The strong attendance, in the face of global economic concerns, was seen by Trimble CEO Steven Berglund as a show of support for the company's tech
Increased infrastructure spending
With economies booming in the BRIC countries and other regions, spending on infrastructure is at a high - Patrick Smith reports As economic crisis grips much of the world, many countries are still spending billions on infrastructure to improve transportation. While the USA and Europe struggle with debt problems (and this has affected much of the rest of the world) the development of highways, airport, ports and other infrastructure is gathering pace in other regions to boost economic developments.
Modern formwork systems - fast, flexible, safe
Speed of erection, safety, cost-efficiency and flexibility are among the attributes of modern formwork systems. Modern formwork and scaffolding systems are attractive in particular for their speed of erection, safety, cost-efficiency and flexibility.
Continuing demand for construction machines
Corporate results from a series of equipment manufacturers for the early part of 2011 all seem to agree that demand for machines continues to improve.
Infrastructure spending aids economic growth
AT THE TIME of year it is worth considering how strong the construction market will be towards the end of 2010 and on into 2011. The build-up to the Bauma construction equipment exhibition in Munich, the world's largest exhibition, has helped fuel new product introductions from manufacturers, attracted contractors to visit the event and brought healthy interest to the construction sector as a whole.
Asphalt milling key to runway upgrade project
Work is continuing to upgrade Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA), India's largest airport in Mumbai, the country's largest city. The airport is equipped with a cross runway system (primary runway) and (secondary runway), with both intersecting each other at a common point.
Top to bottom
Two long distance cyclists, one male and one female, have shown courage in the face of adversity, as well as sheer stubbornness, by riding bicycles from one side of the planet to the other. A New Zealand woman took 20 months to ride her cheap, 18 speed mountain bike from the UK to New Zealand. The journey took her through no less than 22 countries, including some of the world's most dangerous areas. The woman surprised members of the New Zealand Army stationed in Afghanistan when she turned up at their base
Road improvements for India's capital
Delhi is to benefit from nine road upgrade projects worth a total of over US$155 million.
Developments in compact asphalt compaction
An array of new models has increased competition in the market for compact asphalt compaction products - Mike Woof reports
World growth in geosynthtics set to rise
With geosynthetics sales set to grow rapidly in the next three years, manufacturers are preparing for the demand. Patrick Smith reports. Global demand for geosynthetics is projected to increase 5.3% annually to 4.7 billion m² in 2013 with countries such as China, India and Russia expected to post the strongest gains through the forecast period. All are building large-scale infrastructure developments and face evolving environmental protection regulations and strict building construction codes.
Rajasthan Mega Highways boost trade, tourism
Rajasthan is one of the most favoured tourist destinations of India for both domestic and international traffic on account of its rich array of historical forts, palaces, art and culture.
Chinese to lead in electric vehicles?
Chinese manufacturers are keen to set a lead in the market for electric vehicles, which is seen as a major business opportunity for the future.
Major Indian highway projects
Planning is underway in India on key highway projects in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan as well as a new link to connect the latter to capital Delhi.
CNH Global NV acquires ownership of Indian jv
CNH Global NV, a global player in the agricultural and construction equipment business, has acquired full ownership of L&T-Case Equipment, an unconsolidated joint venture established in 1999 with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to manufacture and sell construction and building equipment in India.
Israel's key highway on track
In Israel the authorities are well on track with the project to build northern extension of the Cross-Israel Highway. This road forms part of the US$7.98 billion Netivei Israel transport plan project. Israel's Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Finance will evaluate the tenders jointly and then announce firms that pass the prequalification stage at the end of September 2011. The companies that have prequalified are Electra, Ashtrom Properties, Minrav Holdings, Shafir Civil and Marine Engineering, Shikun
Latin America invests in infrastructure growth
Travelling in one of the world's most diverse regions is not always easy, but spectacular engineering feats will make life easier as Patrick Smith reports. Five years ago a report from the World Bank noted that infrastructure in most of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) had improved over the previous ten years.