Road Structures

Work on two new expressways will commence in Vietnam during 2017. The projects are both being managed by the Vietnamese Government and are being constructed in the southern province of Dong Nai. A build-operate-transfer (BOT) format will be employed for the construction of a 60-kilometer-long first section A 60km expressway will run through Tan Phu and Dau Giay and join with the Dau Giay-Lien Khuong expressway, with the work being carried out under the build, operate, transfer model. This expressway

Work on the Al Mafraq-Al Ghweifat highway project in the UAE is now well underway. This US$5.3 billion project is due for completion in first half of 2017. The Al Mafraq-Al Ghweifat highway is being built in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi. Work on the first phase of the project was completed in 2016. This is a substantial project that includes the construction of 16 new interchanges and upgrades to 246km of roads. The project also includes building new lanes on the Mafraq-Baynounah and Baraka-Ghuwaifat rou

A recent decision by the US Army Corps of Engineers could help speed the delivery of transportation projects. The decision was to exempt the Nationwide Permit (NWP) programme from an Executive Order freezing regulatory activity by federal agencies. And the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) believes that this will clear a path for the development of transportation projects, helping to boost the construction sector as a result. The NWP program, which was reauthorised by the Obama

The Canadian province of British Columbia has given environmental approval for a 10-lane US$2.8 billion bridge to replace the ageing George Massey Tunnel near Vancouver. However, approval for the 3km cable stay bridge over the Fraser River comes with 33 conditions, according to Canadian media. Construction of the toll bridge will also mean replacing the interchanges of Westminster Highway, Steveston Highway and Highway 17A.

South Korea has announced a programme of works that will see the country’s national road network being extended by over 900km. The budget of US$6.41 billion for the work has been set by the South Korean Government. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has drawn up the plans for the work which will include upgrades and extensions to 73 stretches of road in all. During the first six months of 2017 around 60% of the budget should be used for the necessary road construction activity. One of the ma