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The famous Spaghetti Junction in Birmingham, central England marks its 40th birthday this week. A firm divider of opinion among the millions of motorists that use it each year, its sprawling concrete arteries at junction six of the M6 connect the A38(M) Aston Expressway into central Birmingham. Officially opened on 24 May 1972, the Gravelly Hill Interchange – Spaghetti Junction’s official name - took four years to build and cost between £9m and £10m. It was subsequently dubbed Spaghetti Junction by newspap

The organisers of the bauma 2013 exhibition in Munich have revealed that 11 months before the show is due to open, all stand space has been sold. This is despite the fact that the exhibition space has been extended to a record 570,000m2. Organised by Messe München, the International Trade Fair for Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines, Mining Machines, Construction Vehicles and Construction Equipment now has a waiting list for all of its sections. Located in the Bavarian capital Munich, this is

Europe’s drivers will be able to save enormous sums of money if ambitious fuel economy targets are introduced by the EU this July. This claim has been made by a former UK Environment Agency chief, Malcolm Fergusson. His study predicts that annual fuel costs for Europe’s drivers could fall by about 23% by 2020 if the currently expected EU fuel efficiency target of 95grammes of CO2 emissions/km for new cars and 147grammes/km for vans is confirmed by the European Commission in July, as expected. If the target

European road safety targets and casualty reduction plans are to benefit from meeting the 2013 deadline for cross border enforcement. The member states will have to meet the deadline of 7th November 2013 for the Cross Border Enforcement Directive, or risk facing infringement proceedings. The issue is a key one as many drivers commit offences in EU nations other than their own, without having to face penalties. Bureaucracy makes it hard for drivers to face penalties when they return home. In some instances t

A report by Goldman Sachs reveals Russia’s requirement for further infrastructure investment. The report, Russian Infrastructure and Construction, shows that investments in transport corresponded to 1.5-1.7% of GDP in 2005-2010. For Russia’s total infrastructure needs, including power networks and communications, spending equated to 3.7-4.3% of GDP. But the report shows Russia should allocate at least 3.5-4.5% of its GDP to infrastructure while maintenance of existing infrastructure should make up about 50%

The European construction contractors and equipment manufacturers associations (the FIEC and CECE respectively) are calling for increased spending on infrastructure in a bid to stimulate economic growth. “Our industry looks forward to the implementation of the right policies and incentives to nurture sustainable growth and jobs”, said Ralf Wezel, CECE secretary general, during a recent debate organised by the European Forum for Manufacturing (EFM) in the European Parliament.

A series of industrial engines from Deutz is now available that can run on 100% biodiesel. These new engines feature 2000bar injection systems and meets Stage IIIB standards for exhaust emissions. These are claimed to be the first production engines running on biogenic fuels, however the firm adds that it recommends use of Biodiesel Quality Assurance Working Group (AGQM) certified biodiesel. The company says that it is confirming its position in the market by releasing its exhaust emissions standard Stage I

Despite a slight slow-down in the pace of economic growth in China, market confidence remains strong in the country. The organisers of the upcoming bauma China event, from November 27 to 30 2012, say that China is still a key market for the global construction sector. Supported by a booming domestic market, the Chinese construction machinery manufacturers are also making ground on the international front. The exhibition is an international trade fair for construction machinery, building material machines, c

Details from the Italian construction equipment manufacturing asscoaition, UNACEA, show that domestic machine sales are still falling, while exports keep on growing. However exports are growing at a slower rate than in 2011. Over the first quarter of 2012, 1,820 construction machines were sold on the Italian market, a drop of 22.4% from the same period in 2011. These included 1,734 earthmoving machines, a fall of 22.4% compared to the first quarter of 2011, while there were 40 road machines sold, a drop of

Teledata World Services has signed a letter of intent to acquire all of the equity of Superior Traffic Controls, a developer and manufacturer of roadside safety and incident management products. The transaction will result in the majority shareholders of Superior becoming the majority shareholders of the Teledata and comes at the conclusion of a two-year search for a new business opportunity Teledata could merge with or acquire.

The Ministry of Transport, Works, and Housing (TWH) in Jamaica is the first recipient of the International Road Federation’s (IRF) ‘Decade of Action Find a Way’ Award. IRF chairman, His Excellency Abdullah A. Al-Mogbel, has introduced the award to recognise the value of political leadership in driving road safety strategies as part of the United Nations’ Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. Under the leadership of Dr, the Hon. Omar Davies, the Jamaican TWH Ministry has overseen an ambitious regulator

The Spanish Ministry of Works requires further funds to complete work on the 261.5km A-11 Duero Highway. A further €1.13 billion is needed to pay for the work on the stretch between Los Rabanos (Soria) and San Martin del Predroso (Zamora) on the border with Portugal. There has already been €54.2 million invested in the project, which paid for construction of the 15.2km of the Aranda de Duero bypass but work is currently at a standstill. No new work has been carried out since July 2010 when the 6.2km Ronda N

The Danish government has shelved the plans for a road toll scheme for Copenhagen. The decision has been welcomed by opposition parties, and the government is now set increase funding for public transport so that ticket prices can be reduced.

Israeli financing looks to be one funding option for the Northern Tunnel project planned in the Russian city of Rostov. The plan calls for a 2.5km tunnel that will be tolled and link the city centre with the Northern residential area and will help reduce congestion on Nagibin Avenue. This is at present the only large highway linking the city centre with the residential district and is congested at peak periods. The tunnel project is valued at US$252 million and construction work is expected to take six year

The 400km stretch of A9 autobahn connecting the German cities of Munich and Leipzig looks likely to be one of the first major highway links in Europe with charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

Plans are moving forward in France for the beltway project around the city of Strasbourg. This tolled highway project is now expected to cost up to €756 million, compared with the original estimate of €400 million quoted during the call to tender in 2009. Vinci won the concession for the link. Should the project progress according to schedule, construction work could commence in 2013. The highway would then be opened to traffic in late 2016 or early 2017. The 24km highway is intended to features two lanes

The shortlist of three bidders for the €707 million (£600 million) plus Mersey Gateway Project in North West England as been revealed. The first bidder is the Balfour Beatty, Bouygues Travaux Publics, Egis Projects consortium. The second bidder is Merseylink consortium, comprising equity members Macquarie Capital Group, Bilfinger Berger Project Investments, Vialia Sociedad Gestora de Concesiones de Infraestructuras and FCC Construcción. Completing the bidding trio is MGL consortium, comprising equity membe

An International research project into the effects of extreme weather on Europe’s transport network has shown that rain causes the most problems. Heavy rain can cut off or submerge low-lying areas, cause bridge scour, flood underpasses and damage earthworks. The Project is headed by the Finnish research body VTT and is investigating the impact of extreme weather on transport further.

The authorities in Romania are launching the tender process for a new highway section. The country’s national roads and highways company,CNADNR, is handling the tenders for the project, which involves designing and building a 9km section of the Transilvania Highway between Gilau and Nadaselu in Cluj county. The deadline for ids is 21st March 2012. The project is expected to cost from €73 million to €80.3 million to construct.

Ireland's Ministry of Transport is focussing on road maintenance rather than building new links at present. With the country’s economy still struggling under a burden of debt, finances are limited. Around 30 road maintenance projects are planned to be carried out in in Ireland during 2012. The Irish Government intends to invest around €200 million/year on road maintenance until its finances improve. New road projects are being delayed and will be held back until 2016 or 2017.