Driving simulator upgraded
The TRL’s car driving simulator has notched up 100,000 miles (160,000km) and has never driven anywhere.
Investing in Croatia's toll roads
Major investments in Croatia’s tolled highway network are being seen during 2011.
China opens record-breaking bridge
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
Upgrade for Russian quarry
In Russia, the Ministry for Industry established the Gurovo Beton quarry in the Tula region south of Moscow in 1951.
Flyover replacement
French contractor DSD Démolition was one of three firms that worked on the recent demolition of the A55 highway flyover in Marseilles, France. The 20-year-old flyover stood near the harbour and formed part of a main route through Marseille leading to Lyon and Avignon. However, it was an ugly structure and spoiled the city's landscape so as part of the wider regeneration taking part in Marseille's harbour, the 1.3km bridge had to be demolished within three months. DSD Démolition had two operators for each of
Latest innovations in GPS and machine control
Modern satellite technology is making life easier for everyone on the construction site and in the office. Most major equipment manufacturers are now integrating GPS machine control systems into the design of excavators, bulldozers, pavers, and motor graders. For stake-less work it is a major component for automatic grading, surveying, and excavating systems, with contractors and construction companies using GPS machine control systems to improve operations.
French road accidents on the increase
The road accident rate in France looks to be on the increase as a result of changes in laws, which have softened penalties for offences.
Productive breaking
Atlas Copco says that its medium-size MB1500 hydraulic breaker is both versatile and productive. Robust and sturdy in design, this hammer can be used for demolition, trenching or quarrying work.
Straightforward and reliable, the MB1500 is said to have low maintenance needs and is not fitted with a high-pressure accumulator, reducing the number of moving components it features. However the unit is equipped with Atlas Copco's StartSelect and AutoControl packages, which allow start-up and shutdown to match th
Completing Hungary's highway construction
Work will start in the second half of 2011 on a new stretch of Hungary’s M3 highway between Vasarosnameny and the number 49 Highway.
Boom in African road construction projects
Huge investments are being made in major road construction projects for North Africa. The biggest is the 'Autoroute Transmaghrébine' highway, which is also Africa's largest ever road construction project. Once complete, the highway will connect the Maghreb states of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya and will have a total length of 3,200km.
Klaruw RMS has won Safety Project of the Year award
Klaruw RMS has won Safety Project of the Year for a joint submission with Area 10 managing agent contractor A-one+ in the recent Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation North-Western Branch 2011 Awards.
Mobile lifting
Elliott Equipment is offering a versatile and mobile, crawler-mounted off-road crane and excavating unit. Called the 30105DT, the machine features a maximum capacity of 27tonnes, a telescopic boom that extends to 32m and a 35m tip height.
Recycling option
Roadtec is offering a new cold recycling machine, the RT-500, aimed at duties in projects using the recycling train concept. Electrically powered by a Cat C9 generator set, the RT-500 can handle up to 600 tonnes/hour of material and is designed to crush and screen the recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) produced by an RX-900 cold planer. It has a JCI double deck screen that sorts milled material provided by the RX-900's conveyor. Any oversized material is fed back into the RT-500's Telsmith 3048 impact crusher
University of Birmingham establishes training programme in parallel with IRF for senior road executives
The University of Birmingham's internationally renowned Highways Group links with IRF to host this year's premier Forum for Advances in Sustainable Roads, from 12 to 24 April, 2010. For over 15 years, the Senior Road Executives Programme (SRE) has provided continuing professional development for road practitioners
Fast worker on German link
A high production paving job has been achieved by German contractor Rask Mecklenburg on a site in Stockelsdorf, Ostholstein. A Volvo ABG7820 asphalt paver was used by the firm to surface a new road link providing construction access to a housing development.
Modelling software aids highway widening
The Skanska Balfour Beatty Joint Venture has been selected by Autodesk to receive an Autodesk BIM Experience Award.
Report reveals many German bridges need repairs
A worrying report in Germany has revealed that up to 20% of the country’s bridges on its Federal Roads need refurbishing or rebuilding.
Fire damage closes bridge over UK's M1 motorway
Following a fire at a scrapyard under the motorway (one of Britain’s busiest) in April, extensive investigation, assessment and structural reinforcement work has taken place non-stop.
Increased infrastructure spending
With economies booming in the BRIC countries and other regions, spending on infrastructure is at a high - Patrick Smith reports As economic crisis grips much of the world, many countries are still spending billions on infrastructure to improve transportation. While the USA and Europe struggle with debt problems (and this has affected much of the rest of the world) the development of highways, airport, ports and other infrastructure is gathering pace in other regions to boost economic developments.
Innovative, quality asphalt surfacing solutions
An array of innovative mix designs and special processes have been introduced to the paving market in recent years. These are now being used in many site applications and are offering contractors the benefits of fast application and high surface quality while providing safe, cost-effective and hard wearing solutions with long life for clients.