News

The Japanese Government is planning to make several expressway sections toll-free. This forms part of a pilot programme, with six sections of the country's expressway network intended to be made toll-free for all vehicles.

Bidding is strong for the 30 year concession deal covering the Goethals Bridge linking New York and New Jersey. The contract will include financing, construction and management of the bridge and changes to the road alignment in a deal worth US$1.3 billion.

North Korea claims that it is establishing a strategic plan that will lift the country's struggling economy into prosperity as early as 2012. According to a missive from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a 10 year economic plan has been unveiled that will see a total of US$100 billion being invested by the nation in 12 strategic sectors.

A new US$816 million highway extension project for Israel has been given the go ahead by the country's government.

A new 192km road link will connect Juba with Nimule in Southern Sudan. This US$225 million project is being funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The Honduras Government is revealing its concern over rising costs of materials, as these will have a major impact on planned road maintenance and repairs, as well as new construction.

The West African nation of Benin is seeing two road projects commence shortly. Funding for the work is being provided by China.

Plans are now moving forward for the construction of a 3.2km bridge in Australia's New South Wales.

The tender process is being opened for a new bridge across the Bosporus in Turkey. Turkey's Ministry of Transport is running the tender for the project.

South Africa's Transport Ministry has set out plans for a new road improvement programme.

In Vietnam the public-private partnership model is being used for a new 32km highway project in the Keokong Delta.

Close scrutiny of projects awarded to contractors MCC and OHL is being carried out in the Mexican state of Puebla.

A Greek and Qatari consortium will carry out road contracts worth US$520 million in Qatar. Meanwhile US company Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR) will carry out a contract in Qatar worth $135 million.

The authorities in El Salvador are at present evaluating options for a possible improvement project to the Panamericana Highway.

China's economy has surpassed that of Japan in size, due in part to the country's massive investment in infrastructure. And with that infrastructure spending showing no sign of ceasing, China's economy looks set to continue to grow.