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In the US work is now commencing on the key I-269 highway upgrade at Byhalia in the state of Mississippi. The new US$19.5 million section now under construction will complete the beltway around nearby Memphis, Tennessee.

Pipe and cable detector specialist Radiodetection is widening its product range with the introduction of a new line of leak detectors. The new acoustic leak detectors are said to be easy-to-use, affordable and portable and can be used along with the proven RD7000+ and RD8000 range of cable and pipe locators. The new RD52x family of wireless noise loggers can be used to monitor extensive and complex water networks, without the need for digging up roads. The units combine the latest digital and acoustic techn

THE TRIMBLE TSC3 handheld controller for construction is said to offer powerful and rugged control capabilities. This hand-held unit is aimed at duties with heavy and highway contractors and features builtin GPS, 3G, Wi-Fi and a 5 megapixel digital camera. The unit is said to allow site workers to stay connected and also provides accurate positioning and digital design information. Using this unit allows engineers to locate, measure and record information anywhere on the construction site with a single devi

The Portuguese experience with road safety has proved that planning, development, introduction, and hard work do pay off in the end. Paulo Marques Augusto, president of the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR), explained that in the last 10 years a decrease of over 50% has been achieved in the number of fatalities on the road network despite a continuing growth in traffic demand (there are five million vehicles in Portugal), and a similar reduction in travel time on most of the connections between Lisbon a

One of the most notable developments in the loading and hauling sector though again comes from Liebherr, with the long awaited launch of its ADT range.

Volvo Construction Equipment says that its all-new F-Series ADTs will meet the tough Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB emissions legislation as well as delivering performance improvements over previous models.

Danish company DELTA has unveiled its new LTL-M mobile retroreflectometer, which it says has taken about four years to develop. The unit, seen at the recent Traffex show in Birmingham, UK, measures all types of road markings at a simulated distance of 30m "with the highest level of accuracy." The company says that the LTL-M is to be used mounted on a vehicle measuring retroreflection at normal traffic speed providing full overview of the condition of the road markings. DELTA says the instrument operat

India's Government is continuing with its huge highway investment programme, with the Indian Road, Transport and Highways Ministry planning to announce US$15.66 billion worth of contracts in the 2011-2012 period.

A SOPHISTICATED high definition (HD) Prosilica camera is being offered by Allied Vision Technologies (AVT) for use in traffic applications. This GX1920 unit is said to offer near infrared sensitivity and low light imaging performance in HD format. The camera has the 240MB/s data transmission capability of the GX series of dual GigE Vision cameras from AVT. It is said to have high light response in both the infrared and visible regions of the spectrum due to the use of the new Sony ICX674 CCD sensor with ExV

With the Tier 4 interim/Stage IIIB emissions requirements due next year, further upgrades will be required for all wheeled loaders sold in Europe and North America.

SWARCO FUTURIT has displayed the latest development of its product range, a full-colour LED matrix sign using a 12mm pixel pitch. The sign, unveiled at the recent Traffex show in Birmingham UK enables ultrahigh resolution of text and graphics so signs can be deployed in lower-speed urban applications without losing legibility and clarity.

The introduction of the latest emissions standards in North America and Europe are requiring major design rethinks for earthmoving machines such as ADTs, Mike Woof reports. With the introduction of the Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB emissions legislation, major changes are being made to off-highway machines. One of the machine types most affected by this legislation will be the articulated dump truck (ADT) and designers have faced major challenges in developing solutions that retain what are now seen as key oper

Twenty years ago Portugal was bottom of the European league in terms of roads and safety. A series of ambitious plans has seen the country rise to the top. Patrick Smith reports on how this was achieved

The authorities in the Turkish city of Mersin are investing heavily in infrastructure, with a budget of US$1 billion planned.

In the earthmoving sector, much development is being seen in excavators and wheeled loaders used for digging and loading, Mike Woof reports

New generation concrete repair tools offer major safety benefits over earlier systems. Minnich Manufacturing says that its new concrete dowel drill delivers high productivity and a safer working environment on concrete patching jobs.

The signs are that this year's Bauma exhibition in Munich, Germany will be a record-breaking event. Work is well underway on-site for what promises to be the largest Bauma event ever. With over 3000 exhibitors planned to cover a record breaking 550,000m², Bauma is the biggest construction equipment exhibition and for the matter, the biggest exhibition of any kind in the world.

In Russia the contractor Mostotrest will build a bridge across the Sura river on the M-7 Volga federal highway. The deal is worth US$131.3 million.

Sophisticated technology is now being used to make the testing of a wide variety of materials quicker and easier as Patrick Smith reports. Ever since the CE mark became mandatory for asphalt mixes, it also became necessary and important to update the testing equipment and systems used for testing such materials.

The plans for Chile's new Vespucio Oriente highway are under a question mark at present. The Chilean Construction Chamber (CChC) and the association of concession-holders (COPSA) have raised concerns over the plans by the country's government to press ahead with the construction of the 13km Vespucio Oriente highway in capital Santiago.