Concrete milling, paving & compaction

Ferocious daytime temperatures can provide a tough challenge to construction firms working in desert conditions in Egypt's south. Despite the high daytime temperatures however, Egyptian contractor Orascom has managed to complete an airport project on budget and ahead of schedule, while meeting the client's tight specifications.

Some US$264.5 million (C$278 million) is being budgeted for upgrading road links in the Bas-Saint-Laurent area of Quebec Province, Canada.

Estimates now suggest that repairs to Chile's earthquake damaged infrastructure will cost the country's government in the region of US$1.2 billion. Meanwhile private highway operators are expected to pay an additional $200 million for repairs to links they manage.

Allen Engineering has developed its new E-Screed for use in confined pour areas. This unit is driven by a high-frequency electric motor that is said to be reliable and durable, with power from a re-chargeable, high-performance 36V battery that can be replaced on-site. The no-maintenance motor is precisely regulated with a variable speed controller and the battery delivers charge-anytime performance over 1500+ life cycles.

Sri Lanka's war ravaged roads will begin to benefit from a massive improvement programme shortly, following the cessation of hostilities. Some US$3 billion is being spent in the north and east of the country according to the Highways Ministry.

GPS machine control for earthworks and concrete paving is helping to fast track construction of an irrigation canal in Turkey - Claire Symes reports. The Turkish economy is expected to flourish as a result of construction of a new irrigation channel currently underway in the east of the country. This canal is benefiting from the latest concrete paving and earthmoving technology and will bring with it prosperity to a deprived area of the country. But the project is already taking the lead in terms of Turkish

A massive budget for highway construction and upgrading is being set in place by the Vietnamese authorities. In all some US$18.73 billion is being set aside for the construction and development of Vietnam's expressway system.

Zambia's Ministry of Works and Supply is budgeting US$273.24 million for its 2010 roads budget. Meanwhile a further $500 million is required for upgrades and maintenance of roads that have been damaged already.

The Australian state of Queensland plans to upgrade its roads and has set a budget of US$3.24 billion (A$3.53 billion) for the task. Key projects will include safety improvements to 20 intersections, which have been identified as accident blackspots.

Innovative developments are pushing forward concrete road construction techniques. The concrete road sector looks to benefit from some key innovations and developments now coming to market or being employed in different territories. Irregular weather and environmental conditions can alter the rate at which concrete cures, with a risk of plastic shrinkage cracks that can compromise the integrity of a pavement. Contractors cannot control the environmental conditions of a paving project and when weather patter