Search

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has released a significant study aimed at exploring and promoting Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to fund critical infrastructure projects across nine countries in North Africa and the Middle East.

A Manitowoc 2250 crawler crane and a Grove GMK6250L all-terrain crane have been used to help construct a two-story underground parking structure at a mixed-use apartment complex at Minnesota in the US. The cranes were rented from Vic’s Crane and Heavy Haul by Hanson Structural Precast, the precast subcontractor working for general contractor Frana Companies. The two cranes lifted and placed the precast concrete wall panels and flooring sections. The heaviest load, an 18m double T floor section, weighed 29.

A long running land dispute in the Czech Republic has finally been settled, which will allow a key road link to be built after years of delay.

Caterpillar Phoenix-Zeppelin has delivered an AP555E paver to contractor USK Mnichovo Hradišt in the Czech Republic. The machine weighs in at 16tonnes and paves at up to 25m/min and is now working at a construction site near Brandýs nad Labem in the Central Bohemian Region. This versatile machine is able to pave using all standard types of asphalt mixes both in and outside urban areas. The Cat AP555E is also suited for the construction of major trunk roads or highways, while the fitting of a Trimble levelli

Chinese firm Jiangsu Expressway Company is to invest a healthy US$600 million in the Kunshan-Wujiang section of the Changshu-Jiaxing Expressway.

Work is now underway on a new highway in Bolivia connecting Villa Tunari and San Ignacio de Moxos.

A tunnel currently under construction should help deliver a solution to the endemic traffic congestion problems suffered in Russian capital Moscow.

Improved infrared asphalt repair technology is speeding pothole repairs in applications in North America.

MeadWestvaco (MWV) says that its Evotherm warm mix asphalt technology is now approved by the Colorado Department of Transportation (Colorado DOT) for use in statewide paving projects. The warm mix asphalt system can be used in any traditional hot-mix asphalt application, but with significantly lower temperatures required for paving application. This feature is particularly useful in Colorado's high altitude paving projects and has been tested extensively.

Traffic jams in Israel cost the country's economy US$5.57 billion/year, according to official estimates.

A new machine described as an excavator, trencher and crusher is the first of its type operating in the UK and Europe. Westquay Trading, the exclusive distributors for Tesmec products, has introduced the first 126tonne Rock Hawg, which has been sold to contractor A J Gammond of Malvern, England, pioneers of the use of the machines in the UK and Ireland.

Tenders are now being placed for a ?€1 billion a contract to double the capacity of the A1/A6 highway in the Netherlands

New technology from sensor manufacturer SICK UK allows the use of the latest LMS111 series of laser sensors improved vehicle detection capabilities. The new system gives high accuracy with minimal error sensing for security, safety and presence detection on highways duties. SICK says that the LMS111 avoids the risk of false signals and can be used in a broad range of applications while being available at a competitive price.

The Dominican Republic has set out a strategy for an ambitious road improvement programme, with a budget of US$1.9 billion having been set.

The flotation deal for Chilean highway operator Autopista do Pacifico is on track.

Specialist contractor Implenia Bau recently carried out some piling work for main contractor Keller Bauunternehmung on a project at Rorsach in Switzerland.

A new report from international consultancy EC Harris says that highway investors consider developed nations to provide the best economic benefits at present.

Peek Traffic is introducing its ATC-2000 Traffic Controller, which has been designed from the ground up with advanced features. The new unit offers standards compliance, ease-of-integration, and intelligent ergonomics and is available in the North American and International traffic control markets. The ATC-2000 is compliant with the US FHWA Advanced Transportation Controller standard, and is very similar to Peek's proven ATC-1000, but with additional features. As in the ATC-1000, the ATC-2000 uses NTCIP com

The Indonesian Government is helping fast-track work on several key toll road projects in the country.

Warm mix asphalt is said to offer many benefits including fewer emissions and energy savings, but further research is needed to "validate its expected performance and added value" claims one organisation. Patrick Smith reports