Skanska USA has been awarded a $399M design-build contract by the Florida Department of Transportation for the construction of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Florida, US.The contract will include the replacement of the existing bridge over Pensacola Bay with two new three-lane bridges, connecting the cities of Pensacola and Gulf Breeze.Each new bridge will have a length of about 5km. The total project length is about 6km, including the roadway approaches on each end of the bridges.Work on the project is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2016 and is set to be complete in August 2020.
UK-based construction services firm Kier Group has been awarded three construction frameworks in the UK, on projects with a combined value of more than £5bn.The company has been selected as one of six principle supply chain partners on the four-year £4bn Department of Health Procure22 framework, which commences in October 2016.The group has been also chosen as one of five suppliers on two five-year construction frameworks worth up to £750M at Gatwick Airport. The frameworks cover building and civil engineering projects up to £10M and smaller works for building projects up to £1.5M.Furthermore, it has secured a spot on the two-year £500M University of Cambridge scheme to provide a range of facilities including laboratories, teaching and lecture spaces and sports facilities.Kier Group CEO Haydn Mursell said: “These awards demonstrate the breadth of our offering and the strength of our relationships with clients across a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, aviation and education.“Such awards, which account for approximately half of our UK regional building revenues, enable us to work closely with our clients to deliver on their long-term requirements and they further bolster our strong construction order book.”
US-based logistics and shipping company UPS has announced a $310M project to expand its Centennial Ground hub in Louisville, Kentucky.The expansion will almost triple the size of the company’s facility to 78,000sq m. The move comes in response to increased e-commerce and traditional retail package volume.According to UPS, the project will nearly double its current sorting capacity to 85,000 packages per hour and add additional sorting automation equipment. Lou Rivieccio, president of UPS Ohio Valley District, said: “We are excited to have construction underway. This project is a win for everyone involved. It will benefit our customers, generate jobs, and enhance economic development in Louisville and the surrounding region.“Centennial offers UPS customers the advantage of being at the centre of the world’s largest package delivery company. It is one of UPS’ most important facilities.”The project will be delivered in three phases and is expected to continue through 2020. It will create 300 full and part-time jobs in the region.
Bilt Group’s residential development arm Vivere Group has submitted plans to Salford City Council for a £150M housing development in Manchester, UK.The City View project, designed by architect Fletcher Rae, will include the construction of four blocks rising from eight to 26 storeys in a 56,000sq m site. The development, to be located on a corner plot at the junction of Oldfield Road and the A57 Regent Road, will feature 525 flats — 488 apartments and 37 three-bed townhouses. It will also include an above-ground ‘sky garden’, a gym, a coffee shop, a concierge, 150 car parking spaces and 200 cycle spaces.Fletcher Rae’s joint managing director Andrew Rae said: “The form of the building responds directly to the vision of the site to create a viable and sustainable regeneration development in a strategic location on Regent Road.“The development will link to existing community infrastructure and adjacent developments. This proposal is intended to repair the severed link that exists between these communities and developments and create a much needed activity node for movement between these key places in the city.”If approved, construction work will commence in early 2018.
Skanska has secured an €197M order from Slovakia’s National Highway Authority, NDS, to extend the D1 highway in eastern Slovakia.The scope of the contract will include the construction of a 14.4km section between Budimír and Bidovce, including an additional 1.1km of express road (R2/R4). The section will include 23 bridges, four overpasses, and noise barriers.Construction on the project — funded by the European Regional Development Fund, OP Integrated Infrastructure 2014-20 and the state budget — is set to commence in November 2016 and is scheduled to be complete in December 2019.
Contractor A-one+ is resurfacing over 1.6km of the A1 at Brownieside in Northumberland using cold paving technology — a first for the UK.The company is using a bespoke Wirtgen CR 3200 machine to recycle the underlying layers of the road. The old surface material is churning up with new material within the machine, before laying it down immediately on the road behind. With the new method, 500 to 1,000t of road surface can be laid per hour — a significant increase when compared with the 100t per hour of conventional techniques.Additionally, it reduces the quarried stone used by 75%, the waste taken to landfill by 66%, and requires 70% fewer lorry trips to and from site. Steve Bishop, Highways England’s project manager, said: “This new technology is brilliant news for the thousands of drivers that use motorways and major A roads in the North East, who will benefit from smoother and safer journeys.“The road surface is designed to last for at least 10 years, meaning that we shouldn’t need to go back to carry out further repairs any time soon meaning less disruption for drivers.“This is the first machine of its type in the UK but the process is already successfully used in the USA, France and China. We are always working with our partners to trial new technologies that will help us to minimise disruption to drivers while we carry out essential road maintenance.”Work started at the beginning of August and is now finished.* More on cold paving technology in the UK and beyond here.
“The size of this project is remarkable — the viaduct is one of the largest in the world,” says Olivier Tricoire, Nouvelle Route du Littoral deputy director of operations. The ‘Nouvelle Route du Littoral’ is currently under construction in Réunion Island’s — a French department — Indian Ocean and is set to be one of the biggest projects ever undertaken by the French government. The 12.5km highway, parallel to the coast, will connect Saint Dennis with La Grande Chaloupe and replace the existing coastal road between Saint Dennis and La Possession. The existing road is exposed to sea spray when there’s heavy swell — frequently occurring due to the absence of a continental plateau — and to the falling of rocks. The 80,000 people who frequently use the road are often stuck in traffic jams, as the authorities have to close one or two lanes for a period of two months to a year. The new coastal highway will eliminate these issues, as it will be 20-30m above sea level — expected to be above the highest waves of the biggest storms. The €1.7bn development has been awarded to two joint ventures. The construction of the 5.4km viaduct section — €715M of works — is under the responsibility of the viaduct joint venture, which comprises Vinci Construction Grands Projects, Dodin Campenon Bernard, Bouygues Travaux Publics and Demathieu Bard. The second contract, worth €530M, has been awarded to a joint venture of Vinci Construction Terrassement and local companies SBTPC and Grands Travaux de l’Océan Indien, which will be responsible for the 6.7km of embankments and La Possession interchange. The dual carriageway will have two lanes in each direction, and has been designed to accommodate a rail line later on. Tricoire says: “The Regional council chose to not increase the personal vehicle capacity and instead to promote collective transport. The project includes lanes only for bus — and later tramway — and also pedestrian and bicycle ways.”
Recycling has never been more popular, with people encouraged to set aside paper, food, glass, plastic and more. But what about recycling our roads? Roads deteriorate over time, and rehabilitating works have to be carried out regularly — road signs warning about roadworks are a common sight. To make this rehabilitation more efficient, a time-saving and new environmentally-friendly technology has been introduced into the UK this year — having already been widely established in North America, Europe and China. The cold recycling technology involves the milling and granulation of damaged asphalt layers, which are then rebound, placed again and compacted. The cold recyclers — the machinery used in the process — recycle the underlying layers of the road. The old surface material is churned up with new binder in the machine’s mixing-chamber, before laying down the new, recycled mix immediately on the road behind. Mike Reay, managing director at Lane Rental Services which owns and operates the first UK cold recycler, says: “The recycling layer is the layer beneath the surface. Following the recycling a brand new surface course is installed — first a new structural re-strengthen layer is provided by the recycler and then a brand new layer, running surface, is provided straight after that’s been completed.”The cold recycler when operating in the project’s site needs the assistance of a second machine in order to complete the resurfacing work. “A final surfacing, after the recycling process, is always done with an asphalt paver,” says Martin Diekmann, Wirtgen’s recycling product manager. “This means that an average 4cm hot mix asphalt layer as a wearing course is paved on top of the recycled layer.”Wirtgen — the market leader in cold recycling technology — has sold 1,000 cold recycler machines worldwide so far, according to Diekmann, and this number is expected to grow.The cold recyclers can be used for thin asphalt layers or minor roads, as well as for thick asphalt or heavily-trafficked motorways. A UK firstThe first UK cold recycler made its way into the country three months ago. “I was aware of the machinery used in the States and also in Europe. I visited a site near Toulouse in France in 2015 and was impressed with the equipment,” says Reay.He adds: “This equipment has been tried and tested in the USA and Europe, therefore we had the confidence to introduce it to the UK.” The cold recycling technology was first used in the UK on a Highways England project to resurface 1.6km of the A1 at Brownieside in Northumberland. “I discussed it with AOne+ [the project’s contractor] and, obviously mindful of Highways England delivery programme requirements, we jointly decided the time was appropriate for this introduction to the UK. We ordered the machine and some trials schemes were authorised and have now been carried out,” says Reay.The Wirtgen 3200 CR cold recycler is owned and operated by Lane Rental Services and was especially custom-made for the project. Reay adds: “It has been custom-made for the UK market, not only for the 2016 works. It will be the UK machine.” The 3200 CR differs from the standard Wirtgen 2200 CR and 3800 CR on its operating width. While the 3200 CR cuts on a 3.2m width, the other two machines cut at 2.2 and 3.8m widths, respectively.
Construction work in Bahrain’s North City is set to start, after receiving AED374M ($101M) in funding from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD).The country’s new city, also known as Al Madina Al Shamaliya, will eventually house up to 90,000 people in affordable accommodation. The funding will support the start of the land reclamation and the project’s construction work.The AED2.56bn ($696.9M) second phase of the project will follow and will involve construction of the first 2,694 houses.Bahrain minister of housing Basim Bin Yacob Al Hamer said: "We are hugely appreciative of this funding, which will help us [relieve] some of our chronic housing shortages here in Bahrain with the North City project. “I hope that such economic and social development, such as with our new airport, will be a catalyst for national and regional growth."According to the minister of housing, the development forms part of a broader plan to build 40,000 new homes.ADFD director general Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi said: "The North City project is an important project, which will be an economic boost to Bahrain through new construction and opportunities, as well as easing urgent overcrowding issues.”
A CH2M and Parsons joint venture has won a contract from the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) for its $1.3bn capital improvement programme (CIP).The improvement programme aims at repairing and replacing most of the underground water and wastewater infrastructure in Washington, D.C. and neighbouring jurisdictions.The JV will perform programme management services for the development and implementation of CIP.CH2M global water business group president Peter Nicol said: “CH2M has worked with DC Water for many years on capital improvement projects and most recently has been leading the utility’s Asset Management Program. “Aging underground infrastructure is a national problem and leads to disruptions in service and threatens water quality. We are excited to help DC Water tackle the complicated repair and replacement of its aging underground water and wastewater infrastructure to ensure local communities have access to safe drinking water and sanitation systems.”The CIP programme will involve the planning, design and construction of linear and vertical infrastructure in the water and wastewater service areas such as piping, pumping, storage and other appurtenance structures including hydrants, valves, inflatable dams, diversion structures and manholes.It will also involve the rehabilitation or replacement of small- and large-diameter water mains, the rehabilitation of water, sanitary and storm pumping stations, and the rehabilitation of minor and major sewers and storage facilities.
India’s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the prime minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of nine projects worth about INR240bn ($3.57bn) to enhance railway network across the country.The projects given the go-ahead include:• a third rail line between Ballarshah, Maharashtra and Kazipet, Telangana. The INR24.03bn ($358.3M), 201km-long line is anticipated to be complete in five years.• a third rail line between Itarsi and Nagpur. The line stretches 280km and will involve a cost of INR28.82bn ($429.8M). It is expected to be complete in five years.• a third rail line between Jhansi and Bina. With an estimated cost of INR22.73bn ($339M), the 152.57km-long line is expected to be complete in four years.• a third rail line between Vijayawada Junction and Gudur Junction. The NR38.75bn ($557.9M), 288km-long line is expected to be complete in six years.• a third rail line between Mathura and Jhansi. The 273.80km-long line, with an expected completion cost of INR43.77bn ($652.7M), is anticipated to be complete in six years.• a fourth rail line, with an estimated cost of INR22.98bn ($342.7M) between Jharsuguda and Bilaspur. The 206km-long line is expected to be complete in five years.• a third rail line between Rajnandgaon-Nagpur (Kalumna). The INR21.93bn ($327M), 228.3km-long line is estimated to be complete in five years.• a third rail line between Kharagpur (Nimpura) and Adityapur in West Singhburn district of Jharkhand with an estimated cost of INR14.83bn ($221M). The 132km-long line is expected to be complete in four years.• an INR25.86bn ($385.6M) second line between New Bongaigaon and Kamakhya. The 176km-long line is expected to be complete in five years.
Spanish construction firm Isolux Corsan has secured a €113M contract from the National Highway Authority of India for the construction of a highway project.Under the contract, Isolux Corsan will widen the 72km section of the Highway NH-74 between Haridwar, in Uttarakhand, and Nagina, in Uttar Pradesh, to four lanes. The scope of the work will include the construction of 12 primary and secondary bridges, a high bypass in Njibabad, a bridge over the train tracks and two steps for elephants.It will also include the construction of five bypasses with a total length of 16km, and the creation of service roads, parking for heavy vehicles and a toll plaza.Isolux Corsan is expected to execute the works within 30 months and will be responsible for the project’s maintenance for four years.
Balfour Beatty has won a $196M contract from Property Group Partners to build the North Block phase of its Capitol Crossing development in Washington, D.C.The North Block phase will involve the construction of two 12-storey, mixed-use office buildings to be connected by a glass bridge.It will include 6,500sq m of retail space in addition to 1,100 parking spaces and 440 bicycle spaces.Leon Blondin, president of Balfour Beatty’s Mid-Atlantic division, said: “We’re honored to be their construction partner in building this truly historic development in the downtown core that will reconnect long-divided Capitol Hill to the East End. “Having already managed the preconstruction, utility relocation and platform construction phases, it’s very gratifying to continue our work to take this project vertical and deliver its first two mixed-use buildings.” Work will first commence on the building located at 200 Massachusetts Avenue, followed by the second building at 250 Massachusetts Avenue. The project will create 350 construction jobs.The 204,000sq m Capitol Crossing development, expected to become the first Eco-District in the city, will comprise 5 mixed-use buildings sprawling over a seven-acre site.
Turkey’s Tekfen Construction has signed a $2.1bn pre-agreement with the government of Qatar for the construction of the Al Khor Expressway project.The scope of work will include the construction of a 34km-long highway in the Middle Eastern country, featuring 10 lanes. It will also involve the construction of viaducts, road junctions, overpasses and underpasses. Turkish minister of transport, maritime affairs and communications Ahmet Arsalan said: "The Al Khor Expressway project will be a great example of collaboration between Qatar and Turkey."Qatar is going to host the FIFA 2022 World Cup and introduce great projects through its 2030 National Vision. Turkish contractors have immense knowledge, experience, and workforce in order to accomplish these projects."The project is expected to be delivered within three years.
The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) has broken ground on its new stadium in Los Angeles.The new facility, to be located on the Los Angeles Sports Arena former site, will be known as Banc of California Stadium, following a naming-rights deal with the bank.The 22,000-seat stadium — designed by architectural firm Gensler — will be a soccer-specific venue, but will also host community and cultural events. LAFC’s lead managing owner Larry Berg said: “After years of planning and hard work we are set to make history here in the heart of the city. Banc of California Stadium will allow for greater sports viewing and live entertainment experiences to take place in Los Angeles than ever before.”Expected to be complete in 2018, the stadium is projected to bring over $350M in private investment to South Los Angeles.Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti said: “Los Angeles is the sports and entertainment capital of the world, and today we open a new chapter in our rich history with the world’s most popular game. “The construction of this new stadium in Exposition Park will create thousands of good-paying jobs — and when their new home is built, our team will bring soccer fans from everywhere into the heart of our city.”
Construction firm Robertson Group has been selected as the main contractor by UK-based Henry Boot Developments for the new £333M Aberdeen exhibition and conference centre.The project, to be located on the 130-acre former Rowett Research Institute site adjacent to Aberdeen International Airport, is being developed by Henry Boot Developments — the Henry Boot PLC propriety development subsidiary — in collaboration with Aberdeen City Council.The overall scheme will include a 12,500-capacity performance venue, extensive covered exhibition halls, a four-star 200-bed hotel to be operated under the Hilton Hotels brand together with an energy centre and 2,500 parking spaces.The initial phase of the development will offer over 74,000sq m of space and includes a development agreement for another 150-bed hotel, to be operated under the Aloft brand.Robertson Group will be responsible for site preparation works, including ground and infrastructure works, as well as the construction of the new arena and conference centre and one of the three on-site hotels.Nick Harris from Henry Boot Developments said: “Following the sod cutting last month, I am very pleased that we are now in a position to appoint Robertson Group as the contractor to deliver this vital project and I am looking forward to working with them over the next three years.“We understand how important the new world-class Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre is to the economy in Aberdeen and the North East and are pleased to be appointing Robertson Group which has close historical and current links to the area.”Construction work is set to commence this month and is expected to be complete in the first half of 2019. The project will create 600 new jobs, including a number of new apprenticeships.
A joint venture of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and George Kent (Malaysia) has secured a work package for the Mass Rapid Transit Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya (SSP) Line in Malaysia.The work package, known as Package SSP- SY-204, has been awarded by Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) and is valued at MYR1.01bn ($250M).Under the contract, the joint venture will be responsible for the engineering, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning of track works, maintenance vehicles and work trains. MRT Corp CEO Shahril Mokhtar said: “CCCC comes with very good technical know-how having handled many infrastructure projects, including railway construction. “Its joint venture with Malaysian company George Kent, which now has a strong presence in the railway industry in Malaysia, allows the MRT Project to benefit from the experience of these two very strong companies.”
US-based Jacobs Engineering has won a contract to design and provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for Pfizer’s new $350M biotechnology centre in China.Jacobs will be responsible for the development of the entire site design, which includes central utility buildings, a quality laboratory, administration offices, and a warehouse.Jacobs’ senior vice president of life sciences Robert Norfleet said: “This is an exciting opportunity for our Life Sciences business. We have a long history of helping Pfizer grow and expand its global manufacturing capabilities.“We look forward to partnering with Pfizer once again to develop this state-of-the-art biotechnology center in China.”The project for the biopharmaceutical company is anticipated to be finished in 2018.
Several projects are now in execution around the world and WCN, as part of its roads week, has listed 13 worth knowing about.1) National Highway Development Program, IndiaThe $71bn National Highway Development Program was implemented in 1998 and aims at improving the road network in India.The project — being delivered in seven phases — includes the construction, rehabilitation, expansion and upgrade of nearly 56km of highway.The Golden Quadrilateral phase, completed in 2015, connects the cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, through a 5,846km road. The scope of the project also includes the construction of around 50,000km of roads, under Phases I-VII, Port Connectivity, and the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North East (SARDP-NE).Even though the development only accounts for 2% of the total length of roads in the country, it carries about 40% of the total traffic. The programme, owned by National Highways Authority of India and planned by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways of India, started in 2001 and is expected to be complete in 2021. 2) Central to Sukhumvit Bypass Upgrade, ThailandThe $26bn project involves the construction of an underground tunnel from Central Road to Soi Pornprapanimit in Chonburi, Thailand.The four-lane tunnel will be 1,900m long and 20m wide.The project also includes the construction of four subterranean lanes, road separators, footpaths, as well as the installation of air ventilators, signalling, security and lightening systems. Additionally, a U-turn on top of the tunnel — featuring an island with dolphin sculptures — is set to be constructed.The upgrade will reduce traffic congestion, as well as provide a freeway road to the region.Construction on the project, carried out by the Ministry of Transport of Thailand, commenced in February 2015 and is expected to be complete in 2018.3) Trans-Sumatra High Grade Highway, IndonesiaThe $25bn Trans-Sumatra High Grade Highway project is set to connect the Lampung and Aceh provinces in Sumatra Island.The project, also known as Trans Sumatra toll road, involves the construction of a 2,600km toll road to be developed in 24 sections.The scope of the work also includes the construction of pavements, supporting walls, toll stations, pedestrian walkways, as well as the installation of safety systems.The development — aiming at improving connectivity and economic development in the region — has suffered many setbacks. In 2012, the land acquisition process started, but faced long delays due to disputes along the route.Construction work commenced in 2014, and the first eight sections are expected to be complete by 2019. Construction companies selected for the highway include PT Adhi Karya (Persero), PT Wijaya Karya Beton, PT Hutama Karya (Persero) and PT Pembangunan Perumahan (Persero).4) Westconnex Motorway, AustraliaThe Westconnex Motorway will provide a link between Westerm Sydney, Sydney Airport and the Port Botany in New South Wales. The US$13bn project includes the construction of a 33km road — connecting the country’s M4 and M5 motorways — to be delivered in three stages. Stage I involves the construction of 13km of road, including the construction of the M4 east link between Homebush and Haberfield. Additionally, it includes the upgrade of the Concord Road interchange and the realignment of surface roads at City West Link and Parramatta Road.Stage II includes the widening of the existing M5 East to eight lanes from the Kings Georges Road interchange, and 9km of twin tunnels. Construction in this stage is expected to be complete by 2019.Stage III involves the construction of an 8.5km, three-lane road tunnel between Stage I at Haberfield and Stage II at St Peters. Construction work is expected to commence in late 2018 and be completed by 2023.Construction on the motorway has started in 2015 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2023.The project’s contractors include Samsung C&T Corporation, CPB Contractors Pty Limited, Fulton Hogan Australia Pty Ltd, John Holland Pty Ltd, Rizzani de Eccher S.p.A., CPB Contractors Pty Limited, Dragados S.A. and sub-contractor Samsung C&T Corporation.5) Lahore-Karachi Motorway, PakistanThe National Highway Authority of Pakistan is undertaking the construction of the Lahore-Karachi Motorway project with the aim of reducing journey times and congestion. The $7bn project includes the construction of a 1,152km dual six-lane motorway to be executed in four sections. The first section involves the construction of a 136km, six-lane motorway from Hyderabad to Karachi, while the second includes the construction of a 296km motorway from Hyderabad to Sukkur.The third stage includes the construction of a 387km motorway from Sukkur to Multan and the fourth section the construction of a 333km motorway from Multan to Lahore.Furthermore, bridges, underpasses, footpaths, cycleways and service roads are being constructed.Construction work commenced in 2015 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2018.The chosen contractors for the project include Frontier Works Organization, China Railway Zoth Bureau Group and Zahir Khan & Brothers. 6) Longchuan to Huaiji Highway, ChinaThe on-going Longchuan to Huaiji Highway project has been announced in 2013 and is expected to increase mobility and provide a smooth flow of traffic.For this effect, a 368km-long and 26m-wide highway is being constructed in Guangdong, China. The $6.6bn project also includes the construction of walkways, flyovers, a 26m-wide roadbed, and a toll plaza, along with the installation of signalling and lighting systems. Construction work — by Guangdong Hualu Transportation Technology Co Ltd — is expected to be complete in 2018.7) G75 Lanhai Expressway: Weiyuan-Wudu section, ChinaThe G75 Lanhai Expressway will connect the region of Weiyuan to Wudu in Gansu, China. The $5.8bn project involves the construction of a 244km highway, including bridges, tunnels, interchanges, walkways and tollbooths. It will also include the installation of signalling and lighting systems. The expressway is being delivered in 23 sections and construction work in section 4 and 6 is now underway. Construction work started this year and is expected to be complete in 2019.8) Tolo Highway/Fanling Highway widening, Hong KongThe Tolo Highway/Fanling Highway is set to provide a good transport link between Island House Interchange and Fanling in Hong Kong.To help to achieve that aim, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Highways Department is widening roads and constructing new bridges.The $5.6bn development also includes the construction of a carriageway, noise barriers, retaining walls, water-mains, drainage and sewerage, geotechnical and landscaping works, as well as the installation of fire hydrants and sign boards.Construction work started in 2009 and is being delivered in two phases. The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for Phase I was awarded to Gammon Construction Limited and China State Construction Engineering Limited, while a Hyder Consulting, Arup and Black & Veatch joint venture secured the design-build for phase II.Phase I has been completed and phase II is now under construction. The highway is expected to be complete by 2018.9) Altanbulag-Ulaanbaatar-Zamyn Uud Highway, MongoliaThe highway, almost 1,000km long, will connect the regions of Altanbulag and Zamyn Uud in Mongolia.The scope of the project includes the construction of a 367km highway from Altanbulag to Ulaanbaatar and 630km of highway from Ulaanbaatar to Zamyn Uud.The $5bn project — aimed at reducing traffic congestion — also involves the construction of ramps, lane dividers, pedestrian ways, as well as the installation of lighting systems. The highway is being built by the Chinggis Land Development Group (CLDG) — in a design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis. Construction work started in 2015 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2018. 10) Wenchuan-Maerkang Highway – ChinaThe $4.7bn Wenchuan-Maerkang Highway project was announced by the Sichuan Transport Investment Group Co in 2012.The project involves the construction of a two-way, four-lane 173km-long highway in Sichuan, China. It also includes the construction of tunnels, bridges, concrete pavements, service area and related infrastructure.Construction work started in 2014 and is expected to be complete in 2017.The EPC contractor for the project is CCCC Fourth Highway Engineering Co., Ltd.11) State Highways Improvement II – IndiaState Highways Improvement II project is set to improve the road network in Karnataka, India.The $4.5bn project involves the construction of 830km of two-lane highway in the first phase and 633km in the second phase.The highway is being delivered on a design, build, finance, operate, maintain and transfer basis.Construction work started in 2011 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2018.12) Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway Upgrade, AustraliaThe Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) is undertaking the Pacific Highway upgrade with the aim of reducing travel times and cost for the people.The US$4.3bn project involves the upgrade of four-lane, 155km dual carriageway between Woolgoolga and Ballina on the North Coast of New South Wales. The development — being developed in 11 sections — includes the construction of 10 grade-separated interchanges, access bridges, overpasses, viaducts, cross-drainage bridges, service roads and a 1.5km new four-lane Harwood bridge over the Clarence River.The scope of the work also includes the installation of signalling and safety systems. The latest contract for the project was awarded to Ferrovial and Acciona consortium in July 2016 for the design-build of Harwood Bridge.Works on the first and second sections are underway. The entire project — expected to reduce travel times by up to 25 minutes — is scheduled for completion in 2020.13) Pan Borneo Highway Upgrade, MalaysiaThe Pan Borneo Highway Upgrade project consists in the upgrading of 1,663km of carriageway from Borneo States of Sarawak and Sabah in Malaysia.The highway is being upgraded from a single-carriageway into a dual-carriageway.The scope of the work also includes the construction of bridges, pedestrian ways, and other related infrastructural facilities as well as the installation of signalling and safety systems.Lebuhaya Borneo Utara Sdn Bhd is the main contractor for the $4.2bn project — being developed in different stages. Construction work started in 2015 and is scheduled for completion in 2023.* For more information on road projects, visit Timetric's Construction Intelligence Center.
If you believe the old song, the M25 motorway that circles London is ‘The Road to Hell’. But while many motorists may be inclined to agree with that sentiment — particularly during the coming bank holiday weekend — there are plenty of roads around the globe that offer much more than traffic jams and suspect hotdogs from service stations. From those that take in remarkable natural scenery, through to those constructed using innovative technologies — we look at some of the world’s most interesting roads.1) The Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway