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Figures recently released indicate that construction spending in China will increase 8.8% each year in real terms through to 2016. Ongoing urbanisation and industrialisation; rebounding foreign investment funding; rising personal income levels and further population and household growth will all work to drive gains. However, further growth will be prevented by a slow-down in the Chinese economy through the forecast period, especially in fixed asset investment. These and other trends are presented in Constru

Doosan has launched a new range of crawler excavators intended for Central and South American markets. It comprises the DX225LCA (operating weight 21.5-23.2tonnes), DX300LCA and the 35tonne DX340LCA models, which replace the previous Solar range, and which are said to offer a new design and features particularly suited to the specific needs of the South American markets. New functionalities and technical improvements include a Doosan Tier 2 compliant engine “ideal for use in South America” and offering fue

Sicilian regional authorities are to receive US$1.94 billion (€1.5bn) from the European Union to carry out highways and other infrastructure projects. Of the overall sum, €500 million is to be allocated to road systems and environment projects.

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) in Costa Rica is planning to invite tenders to design a 4km-5km four lane flyover that will link Calle Blancos with Zapote during 2013. Achieving some progress on the delayed 5km Circunvalacion Norte ring road project is also said to be a MOPT priority. A tender for the design of the toll-less flyover is due to be launched in January 2013, with construction earmarked to start in 2014. It is expected to be completed after 18 months. Expropriations are not req

Russia will spend some of its revenues from its oil industry on improving its road network. Some 350km of Federal Roads were built in Russia in 2011 and 230km of Federal Roads have been constructed in Russia so far during 2012. Spending on Russia’s Federal Roads was US$$12.7 billion during this year. The investment in Russia’s Federal Roads is expected to increase to $14.6 billion in 2013, and to $16.6 billion by 2015. The work is needed as just 30% of Federal Roads currently meet requirements. And in capit

The Polish Transport Ministry is prioritising development work for its highway and dual carriageway network. With limits on funds available, the Transport Ministry has decided that the major routes will be first to receive investment. However work to a number of bypasses that were due to be built will now be delayed and possibly, abandoned altogether. These include bypasses around Olsztyn, Gora Kalwaria and Pultusk. Some €10.44 billion will have been invested by the Polish Government on roads in the period

A loan worth nearly US$113 million from the China Development Bank will be used to improve key road connections in Ghana. The four sections of road are in the south west of the country and are important links to the country’s oil and gas producing areas. In all, the China Development Bank is providing a lending facility worth a total of $500 million to Ghana’s Ministry for Roads and Highways. Other projects planned from this lending facility include $180 million for paving an existing gravel road that is 40

In the Philippines, companies have been called by the Millennium Challenge Account-Philippines (MCA-P) to bid for a segment of the Samar road project. The MCA-P will be holding a pre-bid conference for potential bidders on 9 January, 2013 and sealed bids are to be submitted by 28 February, 2013. The Samar road project is aimed at upgrading the Wright-Taft-Borongan-Guiuan Road stretching 222km from Western to Eastern Samar.

The Latin American Development Bank (CAF) has granted a loan of US$ 200 million for the modernisation and upgrading of roads in São Paulo, Brazil. The works will include 11 roads covering 316km through 27 municipalities of the state of São Paulo. Of those eleven projects, nine have international concessions.

Concrete roads connecting rural clusters with a population of 250 or more across the Indian state of Bihar are to be built over the next five years. According to Bihar chief minister, Nitish Kumar, the clusters will be connected with single metalled road to help grow the state's economy. Kumar said Bihar will spend US$4.22 billion (INR230 billion) building more than 34,000km of roads under the Mukhya Mantri Gram Sampark Yojna scheme.

The authorities in China are keen for increased use of electric vehicles as part of a plan to reduce pollution in major cities, and as part of a wider programme aimed at lowering the environmental impact from mobility. Fuel costs are comparatively high in China, further encouraging drivers to switch to electric vehicles, at least for urban trips. And electric-assist bicycles as well as scooters are already popular in Chinese cities, highlighting the strong potential market for electric cars in the country.