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Delays are now expected on work to upgrade the Dhaka-Chittagong highway to dual carriageway status. This delay has been caused by a dispute with the consultant, the National Engineer Service of Pakistan (Nespak). The firm was contracted to monitor implementation of the project but is now requesting a larger fee to carry out the work.

Construction work will commence shortly on a new 220km transnational highway in Vietnam. The first phase of the project is expected to cost US$390 million and in all the road will cost in the region of $500 million. Some $134 million for the project is being supplied in loan form from South Korea, with a $25 million loan from Australia and a $75 million loan from the Asian Development Bank.

Feasibility studies have been carried out for the No 3 and No 4 beltway projects in Vietnam. The studies were carried out by State-owned firm Transport Engineering Design Inc in the South (TEDI South). These two major beltway projects will require investments pegged at an estimated US$5.35 billion in all and if work goes ahead as planned, the links should be ready for use in 2016. The 148km No 4 beltway will connect Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) with towns in nearby provinces, such as Ben Luc Town and Trang Bom T

The authorities in Hanoi are putting forward a novel if potentially costly solution to tackling the city's chronic traffic congestion problem. The Vietnamese city is known for its jammed road system and Hanoi Transport Department is proposing building elevated roads.

Deutz and Volvo Group are to continue their joint engine technology partnership, with a view to developing new low emission, fuel efficient engines. This new deal carries on from an agreement signed in 1998 for the development and supply of 4-7litre diesels. The agreement was concluded with a term of 15 years and is due to end in 2013, so the new supply agreement will come into effect from 1st January 2014.

A new US$304.24million highway will be built in Jiangxi Province, China.The Jiangxi Provincial Expressway Investment Group is inviting tenders for the 39.29km route, while environmental impact assessment is in the process of being carried out. The new highway between Fuzhou and Jinxi will be ready for use in July 2015, with construction work due to start in July 2012.

Proposals to link the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) and North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) have been approved by the government of the Philippines. The proposals came from Citra Metro Manila Tollways (Citra) and Metro Pacific Investments Corp (MPIC). Citra intends to develop a US$580.64million six-lane elevated tollway stretching 14km. A US$525.2million four-lane elevated expressway that stretches 13.4km could also be developed by MPIC. Work on one or both of the projects will begin later this year, with complet

Mostotrest will reconstruct and build six transport infrastructure facilities in time for the 2014 G8 summit in Skolkovo, Russia. The new infrastructure comprises the southern section of the North-West backbone; a section of Kutuzovsky Avenue, three interchanges at the crossing of Skolkovskoe, Mozhayskoe Highways and Generala Dorokhova Street with MKAD; and an interchange at crossing of Aminyevskoe Highway and Generala Dorokhova Street.

The EU Commission is giving its approval for the joint venture between Bosch, DEUTZ, and Eberspächer. This partnership is now commencing on an operational basis start as the Bosch Emission Systems joint venture. The agreement is for a complete diesel exhaust-gas after-treatment system for non-road machinery. The package is offered on the basis of a modular system and a range of solutions is available to satisfy future emission regulations.

The US state of Washington is introducing tougher rules against cell phone use while driving. The state also now has a tough line against drivers sending texts while at the wheel. The new rules have been commended by US transportation secretary Ray LaHood. From now on using a cell-phone without a hands-free kit or sending a text while at the wheel is a primary offense in Washington State. This new law strengthens Washington's 2008 ban which allowed law enforcement officials to ticket drivers caught using th

Siemens has received orders, valued at nearly US$63 million from Eurotoll and Total, two of the largest French electronic toll onboard units issuers, to supply technology for the new French toll collection system. The equipment comprises onboard units for the vehicles as well as the electronic detection system. The orders are part of the Ecotaxe project which will see the introduction of mileage-based taxation on French national roads for trucks weighing 3.5 tons and more. In addition to the highways, bridg

An extension to the existing collaboration between ASECAP and the European GNSS Agency (GSA) will increase efficiency. The aim is to exchange knowledge and experience and to examine together the potential and the use of GNSS applications in highway operations. This arrangement follows on from the 40th ASECAP Study and Information Days, which took place in Turin, Italy recently. The GSA supports the use of European GNSS in road transport to improve traffic management and road safety and reduce CO2 emissions.

The UK city of Sunderland, north-east England, looks set to see construction of a landmark cable-stayed bridge across the River Wear. The structure will be England's tallest bridge and will measure 187m high by 336m long. It has been designed by architect Stephen Spence and the structural engineering company Techniker.

In Serbia the Ministry of Infrastructure has its plans in hand for construction work on the Belgrade-South Adriatic Highway. Contractors will be invited to tender for this €507 million project shortly. The highway will provide an important link for Serbia once it is complete.

The Polish highway authorities plan to spend some €1.47 billion on repairing roads over the next three years. Around 500km of roads will be repaired in 201 under the plan. The project will be aided by funds from the National Road Fund (KFD) and from credits granted by the EIB in 2009. A number of road repairing tenders are already in process with more due later in the year.

Greek contractor Aktor is currently preferred bidder for construction of Bulgaria’s new Trakia highway. This road will link Nova Zagora and Yambol and the plan calls for the highway to be complete within a 25-month period. Apart from Aktor, bids were also submitted by ten companies.

Poland’s General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) says that the country has suffered some €195 million worth of road damage due to recent flooding. The problem is expected to grow once the cost of damage to further roads in the north of the country can be ascertained. The damage includes links under construction at present.

Costs are climbing for the proposed new bridge to link Denmark and Germany. The structure is now expected to cost €282 million. This represents a significant increase from the €192 million estimated just 18 months ago. Meanwhile the cost of the environmental permit has also doubled.

With filling stations now selling foodstuffs, this can attract unwanted attention. (photo courtesy of World Highways reader Bogdan Schiteanu).

With filling stations now selling foodstuffs, this can attract unwanted attention. (photo courtesy of World Highways reader Bogdan Schiteanu).