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China has opened the world's longest bridge over water, the 41.58km Jiaozhou Bay Bridge, which is said to have cost well over US$2 billion to build. It links the eastern port city of Qingdao to Huangdao Island across Jiaozhou Bay and is 4km longer than the previous longest bridge over water, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana, USA. Opened in June, 2011 after four years of construction, the link is expected to carry some 30,000 vehicle/day and will reduce travel time by 30 minutes, although it is o

The authorities in France intend to reduce risks for road users on the country’s new highways. Research reveals that significant numbers of accidents occur when drivers fall asleep at the wheel. Plans to deal with this safety problem include installing rumble strips that would alert drivers should they stray from each lane.

IRF is continuing its proven programme of developing the skills and knowledge of young highway professionals Asked what his career goals are, Leslie Mills, an aspiring civil engineer from Ghana indicates he hopes, "...to be part of the next generation of African engineers that will help solve some of the fundamental ills affecting transportation infrastructure in Africa." The 63rd class of IRF fellows attended a 10 day IRF road scholar programme from January 18 to 27, 2012. "The potential of building a pro

Elta Fans supplied specialist ventilation fans for the A3 Hindhead Tunnel in Surrey, UK which opened in July this year.

The new Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe)/HCME European Parts Depot has been officially opened. At the Oosterhout facility, southern Netherlands, the guest of honour was Hitachi Construction Machinery president Michijiro Kikawa, who gave a speech to other guests at the ceremony, among them Mitsuhiro Tabei, president of HCME. He then presented representatives from the parts depot with a special Japanese maple tree, which was planted in front of the building. In his address, Mr Kikawa emphasised the imp

The authorities in France intend to reduce risks for road users on the country’s new highways.

A SENIOR American manufacturing association figure has renewed his call for Congress to pass a Highway Bill – after a 90-day extension of the US federal surface transport programme was agreed by the House of Representatives. Speaking as president of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and on behalf of US equipment manufacturers and the I Make America campaign, AEM president Dennis Slater said: "It has been 911 days and eight extensions since the last highway bill expired.

Register today for one of the world’s foremost continuing professional development programmes tailored to the needs of senior road professionals. Organised by the University of Birmingham (UK) in association with IRF Geneva, the Senior Road Executives (SRE) Programme has established an international reputation as an essential ‘must attend’ annual event for senior road professionals from across the world.

A wide variety of new equipment and technology to assist production at asphalt plants is about to be launched onto the market, while asphalt producers are continuing to look at greener working practices. Guy Woodford reports Lintec, in partnership with Loesche, recently created what they say is the world's first containerised Coal Mill Plant for independent coal dust supply at the jobsite which offers mobility and high economic efficiency through the substitution of gas or oil with coal. The mobile co

The latest IRF Bulletin is wholly devoted to issues of Environment & Climate Change as they impact on the road infrastructure sector. It features an authoritative but highly readable set of articles contributed by IRF members throughout the world. A comprehensive range of topics is covered in-depth, including policy & regulatory measures, tools for assessing, quantifying and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, technology advancements and mechanisms for adapting to climate change impacts.

Contractor CMK is using a new Bobcat T770 tracked loader to help build roads for the UK's Forestry Commission. The T770 compact tracked loader was supplied by dealer AMS Bobcat and will be used on a new three-year Forestry Commission contract won by CMK.

Well known in the compaction field, BOMAG continues to raise its profile in the paving sector with the launch of another new machine, the BF300 paver. This model replaces the earlier Marini-developed BF331 and is said to be a combination of the best German and Italian engineering as well as sharing some features with the BF600 series launched by BOMAG during last year. Developed for the 7-8tonne class the BF300 is versatile and manoeuvrable and has a transport width of just 2.5m, even including its mounted

"One of the most important challenges for the Highways Agency (HA) is the management of Britain's motorways to improve traffic flows, reduce congestion, cut travel times and maintain better local air quality. But as traffic volumes increase, the HA is constantly looking for more economical, effective and sustainable methods of managing the country's motorways. "The Managed Motorway concept uses detectors to measure congestion, control software to display mandatory speed signs and an enforcement system to

New demolition tolls are coming to market while safety training for high reach excavator operators has been establishe.d With the Intermat equipment exhibition due shortly, various manufacturers are offering new demolition tools to the market. Meanwhile the UK's National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC) is now setting a lead in the sector by offering a high reach excavator training course. The NFDC has partnered with the National Demolition Training Group (NDTG) to develop the world's first train

A variety of new technology for temporary speed zones during major highway projects across the globe is about to hit the market, while other proven systems remain in demand. Guy Woodford reports The D-Cam P is one of four new mobile speed reading products for temporary speed zones being launched this month by Truvelo. Deployable solely as a speed camera or at a red light intersection to monitor red light offences, the D-Cam P can also act as a speed camera on the green and amber light phases. The machin

Work is on schedule for a new tunnel for the Corridor Vc highway in Bosnia and Herzogovina. The link will be from Drivusa to Kakanj and is due for completion in February 2014. The project is worth some €62 million. The contract is being carried out by Slovenian firm Primorje.

According to a new report from consultant Frost & Sullivan, extended-range electric vehicles (EVs) could be cost-competitive with comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles as soon as 2015. The report claims that electric vehicles could offer a payback period of less than four years for customers with an oil price of €2.50/litre, without any government subsidies.

A Canadian contractor has carried out major roadworks to improve safety on a dangerous stretch of road, using technology to complete the work smoothly. Wiltech Developments, located in West Kelowna, British Columbia, has a great deal of experience. In the contracting sector. The firm works in most. of British Columbia and currently owns more than 40 pieces of heavy machinery, with the majority of these units featuring Trimble Grade Control equipment, a move that has improved its operations.

The 40.30 MCSS is one of two recently launched Merlo telehandlers being shown at INTERMAT 2012. It features a larger chassis and offers a 30metre lift height with a four tonne capacity, compared to fellow INTERMAT model the ‘Grand’ Roto 60.24 MCSS and its 24metre lift and six tonne capacity.

A variety of systems are available for quickly and efficiently removing water from roads as Patrick Smith reports The presence of water in a highway layer reduces the bearing capacity of the road, and in doing so it also reduces the structure's lifetime. Indeed, the recent extremely cold winter in many parts of Europe has shown that in colder climates there is a risk of frost damage when water is present resulting in costly potholes, so drainage systems performing properly are important in road design.