Road Structures

Road projects are being proposed for the Australian state of Queensland, with upgrades to the M1 route taking precedence. One proposed project will be for the widening of the M1 between Tugun and Varsity Lakes; work expected to cost US$164 million (A$206 million). Improvements to the section of the M1 between Logan Motorway and Eight Mile Plains should cost $12.74 million (A$16 million). In addition an upgrade to the Oxenford Exit 57 interchange is expected to cost $19.9 million (A$25 million). The work

In Colombia, an area hit hard by devastating floods is now benefiting from a temporary steel bridge. The modular steel structure was supplied by Acrow Bridge and has been playing an important role in helping with relief efforts following the extensive damage caused by the recent floods. The modular steel bridges were erected in the City of Mocoa in the south-western part of Colombia following the floods and mudslides that left more than 250 people dead and hundreds missing. The Acrow structure being used

Construction of a US$7.17 billion (A$9 billion) highway in New South Wales, Australia will require the demolition of up to 100 homes to prepare the route. The properties that will have to be demolished have a combined value of some $318.62 million (A$400 million), with owners having to be paid the necessary compensation. The 23km route will extend the existing M1 Princes Motorway. Construction of the tolled route will help reduce congestion in southern Sydney.

Construction work on Algeria’s East-West Highway project is finally drawing to a close.

A Liebherr rotary drill rig and oscillator combination has been working in Mexico on a highway project for contractor Mota-Engil. A Liebherr piling rig is playing an important role on a major Mexican highway construction project being carried out by a division of the Portuguese firm Mota-Engil. The use of the rig by Mota-Engil Mexico’s newly formed geotechnical division is helping to set new quality standards for piling in the country. The contractor is leasing one of the latest Liebherr LB 24-270 rotary

Construction delays are holding up the opening of a new bypass in northern Germany that will connect the towns of Löhne and Bad Oeynhausen. Construction work on the link commenced in 2008 and has so far cost some €170 million. In all the project is expected to cost €208 million to complete. Although the vast majority of the work has been carried out on the new bypass some finishing works remain to be completed.

The tender process for the Msikaba Bridge project in South Africa is now being reopened. This is being handled by the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral). The project is costing US$128.25 million and involves the construction of a 580m long suspension bridge. The structure will span the Msikaba River and will be located around 23km to the east of the town of Lusikisiki. Once complete this will be the longest suspension bridge in South Africa. According to Sanral, the tender process is now likely to

Turkmenistan’s new bridge is benefiting from a novel sealing system that will optimise working life as well as maximising safety. A novel waterproofing solution is being utilised for the Turkmenabat - Farap Bridge in Turkmenistan. The project is of note as the structure is the longest metal span bridge in Central Asia. The client for the project is the state-owned firm Turkmenavtohowayollary, while the general contractor is Altcom Road Construction and the consultant engineer is Soyuztransproekt. Stirling

A major tunnel construction project has been carried out in Mexico, setting a technological precedent for Latin America . Mexican materials giant CEMEX took part in the construction of the Coatzacoalcos Underwater Tunnel in Veracruz, Mexico. This innovative project features large tunnel bores and utilised a complex construction process. As a result of these technical challenges CEMEX was required to design and deliver special concretes so as to allow the construction of the different structures needed to

A series of PPP projects are being planned in Paraguay to develop the highway network. Upgrade work will be carried out on Ruta 2 and Ruta 7. In all the work is costing US$527 million and is being overseen by Paraguay’s Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC). A consortium, Consorcio Rutas del Este, will carry out the contract which includes resurfacing Ruta 2 and Ruta 7, as well as improving key intersections and carrying out widening work. The 142km link between Yparacai and Caaguaza will also