Road Structures

The ring road project for Lima looks set to be hit by further delays. The construction seems likely to be delayed by a further 18 months due to the inability of Lima’s municipal authorities and the Peruvian Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) to settle key administrative agreements. Called the Anillo Vial Periferico, the new ring road is being built by the Cintra-JJC consortium.

Austria’s Infrastructure Ministry is setting out an ambitious programme of transport infrastructure development. Plans have been announced for €25 billion worth of infrastructure improvements over the next five years. This will include improvements to road and rail, as well as broadband services.

Tunisia’s road network looks set to expand now that new funding has been secured. The Tunisian Assembly of the Representatives of the People has agreed two loans from the African Development Bank (ADB) worth a total of nearly US$208 million. These loans are to be repaid over 20 years and will help fund road infrastructure developments for the 2016-2020 period. The work will focus on upgrading classified roads. This includes renovating 719km of roads, building 23 bridges and constructing a 7.3km-long bypass

Plans are moving forward for the new bridge structure connecting Thailand with neighbouring Laos. The Mekong Friendship Bridge will be 1.35km long and is expected to cost US$84.3 million to construct. The building work on the bridge will commence in 2019, with the necessary surveying work as well as the design now close to completion.

An Italian-Iranian road study agreement has now been signed. The Italian state-controlled road concession firm ANAS has a cooperation agreement with Iran's Construction and Development of Transport Infrastructures Company (CDTIC). ANAS International Enterprise (AIE) will carry out the study for the completion of the 1,500km north-south corridor, which runs between the port of Bandar-E-Imam on the Persian Gulf up to the northern border with Azerbaijan through the city of Tabriz. The aim of the study is to co

Delays look likely for Indonesia’s massive toll-road development programme. Funding shortages for the necessary land acquisitions will hold back commencement of highway construction activity. In all over US$18.1 billion has been set aside by the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry for the necessary land purchases. But this sum is insufficient for the massive land areas required. The ambitious programme of works has called for the construction of 1,000km of tolled highways by 2019. Additional funding wi

The Mersey Gateway Project achieved another milestone as the first deck span for the elevated north approach viaduct was completed. The reinforced concrete deck span was revealed when Merseylink's movable scaffolding system (MSS) 'Trinity' moved to its second casting position. It is the first of 11 spans that will be cast by the MSS for the deck of the elevated approach viaduct on the north side of the River Mersey.

Costa Rica is looking into amending its processes for the development of road infrastructure projects. A new law would speed up awarding processes and accelerate the execution of works. Road infrastructure projects are crucial to the economic development of the country. New roads would benefit cargo transport operations and reduce travel times.

A major programme of infrastructure development is planned for the Colombian island of San Andres. The Colombian National Planning Department (DNP) intends to spend a healthy US$719.86 million into infrastructure development projects on San Andres between 2016 and 2020. This represents a 22% increase over the 2011-2014 budget for the island. Development projects include the upgrade of Avenida Circunvalar. The budget will include investment into new cycle facilities, public transportation and developing the

The Indian Government has set out plans to award highway projects worth at least US$8.84 billion during the next fiscal year. These projects will be offered under the hybrid annuity model, according to a report in the Economic Times. KPMG has stated that some 21 projects for a total of 1,500km and worth close to a third of that sum will be granted by the Indian Government in the current fiscal year.