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04 March 2025
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Mar 04, 2025Highway News
For the first time in the UK, a new durable graphene-enhanced road surface which is kinder for both the environment and cars has been successfully tested.
Redcar-based graphene company, Universal Matter GBR Ltd, working in conjunction with Tarmac, the country’s biggest name in road construction, and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, have laid the first UK public road using their innovative graphene-based additive Genable™ Pavement.
The addition of graphene to the asphalt enables a longer lifespan of the road, reducing rutting, cracking and increasing resistance to potholes. This promises a smoother journey for drivers, with a less damaging long-term impact on their cars, offering the potential for significant reductions in the carbon footprints of our roads.
The new enhanced asphalt material has previously been tested on several car parks in the United States and Canada and at the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) test track, but this was the first demonstration on a public road anywhere in the world.
Graphene additive was added to over 150 tonnes of asphalt at Tarmac’s Coxhoe asphalt plant in County Durham, which was then transported to Flatts Lane Country Park, on the edge of Middlesbrough, where a construction team put down a new entrance road.
“It’s an exciting day for the business globally because it represents a real step forward for the product,” said Andy Gent, the Commercial Director of Universal Matter. He added: “It’s great to see it taken from the lab stage to full road application. This product has great potential, and we are delighted that Tarmac agreed to participate.”
Universal Matter has developed cleaner, faster, and more economical technology to produce graphene, an advanced carbon-based nanomaterial with a wide range of applications. Its proprietary Flash Joule Heating process, coupled with its distinct capability to produce fully formulated graphene-based solutions, can greatly improve the properties of a wide range of infrastructure and industrial materials.
Technical Director A&A for Tarmac, Brian Kent stated that “As part of our drive to explore, and develop new solutions to our customers, particularly focussing on durability and sustainability, we were happy to participate in this project which provides the opportunity to assess performance and potential further use.”
Cllr Carl Quartermain, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council said: “This is fantastic news for our area, showcasing the innovation and expertise of businesses right here in Redcar and Cleveland.
“We take pride in being at the forefront of sustainable, cutting-edge technology that not only improves our roads but also benefits motorists and the environment.”
He added: “Redcar’s Universal Matter and Tarmac are demonstrating how local talent and big industry can drive real change, and I’d like to congratulate everyone involved in making this a UK first. We look forward to continuing this partnership and bringing more pioneering projects into our borough, strengthening our reputation as a hub for advanced materials and sustainable infrastructure.”
Pic: Universal Matter
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Italy To Reclassify 3.6Km £11Bn Sicily Bridge As Defence Spending To Meet Nato ObjectivesItaly has revealed plans to re-classify its long-awaited €13.5bn (£11bn) bridge across the Strait of Messina as defence spending in order to meet Nato targets.
Last week, Nato members agreed to spend 3.5% of GDP on core military capabilities by 2035 with an added 1.5% allocated to strategic resilience, including essential infrastructure.
Now, Italy’s prime minister Georgia Meloni has announced plans to include the price of the Strait of Messina bridge as a part of its defence spending to help with meeting this target. It is also hoped that it will be able to attract European Commission funding for the project by making it align with EU’s Military Mobility Action Plan.
The bridge has long been mooted. It would stretch across the Strait of Messina between mainland Italy and the island of Sicily and at around 3.6km it would be the longest suspension bridge in the world.
Matteo Salvini, Italy’s infrastructure minister, has designated about €13.5bn (£11bn) towards the project, which is set to begin construction this summer.
The Italian government is now plotting to re-brand this significant public infrastructure project as a “dual use” defence assets. Supporters argue that significantly improve military efficiency, including the shifting of military equipment and troops to Sicily.
However, others argue that the reclassification may not be accepted by Nato. Rome only contributed 1.49% of its GDP towards its military last year, making it one of Nato’s smallest military spenders, so reclassifying the bridge is seen as a ploy to artificially inflate this figure.
Additionally, for it to receive European Commission funding it must meet three requirements: it must be essential, lack viable alternatives and include compensatory environmental measures.
The Messina bridge between Sicily and the mainland has been a consideration since Roman times, but was brought to the table officially in 1998 when Italy’s government approved the plans “in principal”. A multi-billion Euro contract was awarded to a consortium led by Impreligo (now WeBuild) in 2006, but later cancelled when the country faced a recession. The project has been on-again, off-again several times since then, but was firmly put back on the table in 2023 when the Italian government officially ordered the restart of the planning procedure.
Webuild engineering director Michele Longo has previously said: “The Bridge over the Strait of Messina is a highly innovative project. It will be the longest suspension bridge in the world at 3,660 metres, with a span of 3,300 metres.
“The project will have a strong impact on the economy and employment in the region. It is expected to boost the national GDP by €2.9bn [£2.5bn] a year, equal to 0.17% of the national GDP. It would involve about 300 suppliers, especially small- and medium-sized businesses from the region. More than 100,000 people would potentially be employed during the life of the project, including in the local economy. Most of these people would come from the regions of Sicily and Calabria where there the rates of unemployment are high.”
Critics of the plan have pointed out that the Strait of Messina is one of Europe’s most seismically active locations, as it is right on a faultline. The current of the water between Sicily and the mainland is also notoriously strong, adding complications. Longo said that the bridge will have structural integrity to withstand a quake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale, which is greater than the last earthquake on the faultline that occurred in 1908.
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01 July 20253 min readItaly To Reclassify 3.6Km £11Bn Sicily Bridge As Defence Spending To Meet Nato Objectives
New Civil Engineer (Bridge)
01 July 2025
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Hs2 Completes Three-Day Slide Of 220M-Long Viaduct Deck In NorthamptonshireHigh Speed 2 (HS2) engineers have successfully slid the 1,300t deck of the Lower Thorpe viaduct into place near the village of Thorpe Mandeville in Northamptonshire.
The 220m steel and concrete structure, which will carry high-speed trains across Banbury Lane, was moved into position over the course of three days.
Set in a valley, the viaduct is designed not only to support the new railway but also to help manage flood risk by allowing rainwater to continue draining into existing watercourses. Its distinctive russet-coloured weathering steel is intended to blend with the surrounding countryside.
The deck was slid sideways into place using special pads coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a low-friction material similar to that found on non-stick frying pans. These pads reduced friction between the deck and temporary steel bearings atop five concrete piers, allowing precise and efficient positioning.
This installation marks the completion of the last of five viaducts employing this sliding technique in the central section of HS2, constructed by contractor EKFB, a joint venture of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and Bam Nuttall, with specialist input from Eiffage Metal.
Aerial view of Lower Thorpe Viaduct looking along the deck during the slide, June 2025
With the steelwork now positioned, engineers will next lower the deck by 600mm onto permanent bearings before progressing to work on the concrete deck and parapets.
EKFB is responsible for delivering 15 major viaducts for HS2 between the Chilterns and South Warwickshire. The five sliding viaducts share a “double composite” design, which incorporates steel beams along the sides with reinforced concrete layers above and below, creating stronger yet more material-efficient spans than traditional pre-stressed concrete beams.
This design innovation is said to reduce the viaducts’ carbon footprint by between 39% and 59%, compared to conventional construction methods that typically involve solid concrete beams lifted into place by cranes. The hollow spans also allow for longer spans and shallower beams, offering engineering advantages.
The other four viaducts built with this method – Wendover Dean, Small Dean, Westbury and Turweston – are at more advanced stages of construction.
At Westbury, near Brackley, work is underway on the concrete deck using a cantilever formwork traveller, a mobile mould that enables the concrete to be poured in sections efficiently without cranes. This technique also enhances safety by improving access and reducing the risk of accidents.
Issues with the HS2 project came to a head last week when a pair of reports revealed the scale of slippage in the work on the high-speed railway so far. The government has now confirmed that the line will not open by 2033.
HS2 Ltd chief executive Mark Wild is currently reviewing and resetting the whole project and aims to set a new benchmark in 2026, a move aimed at delivering the overall project at the lowest reasonable cost.
Reacting to the successful deck slide on the Lower Thorpe viaduct, HS2 Ltd project manager Sam Arrowsmith said: “It’s great to see the viaduct deck in position and I’d like the thank everyone who’s helped get us to where we are today. The slide may only have taken three days, but it was the culmination of four years of work – developing the design, completing the groundworks and the piers and assembling the enormous steelwork.”
EKFB technical director Janice McKenna said: “The strategic design approach applied to these double composite structures has been a game-changer in how we’re building these viaducts. The double composite solution can be applied to multiple structures in different locations, and we have five across EKFB’s 80km route that are all well into construction.
“The philosophy was to design the viaducts with architectural input to 'blend' the structures into their respective landscapes and reduce the visual impact on the environment. We also required a solution that offered specific delivery benefits too, from saving embedded carbon in the materials we use, to enhancing productivity on site and reducing safety risk.”
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24 June 20254 min readHs2 Completes Three-Day Slide Of 220M-Long Viaduct Deck In Northamptonshire
New Civil Engineer (Bridge)
24 June 2025
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Adept Welcomes Government’S £1 Billion Investment In Vital Road StructuresAngela Jones, President of ADEPT, has welcomed the recent announcement of £1 billion in government funding to repair and renew Britain’s ageing road structures.
“This investment is desperately needed and represents a significant step forward in addressing the infrastructure crisis facing local authorities across the country,” she said.
“ADEPT has been warning for years about the deteriorating state of road structures. The government’s acknowledgment that approximately 3,000 bridges cannot support the heaviest vehicles aligns with ADEPT’s own data showing that 3,090 bridges – 4.3% of the 71,925 bridges maintained by local authorities – are currently substandard1.
“In 2023, the RAC Foundation and ADEPT’s joint 2023 Bridge Maintenance study estimated that the one-time cost to clear the maintenance backlog on all 71,925 bridges across the country would be £5.861 billion. This bridges backlog sits within the broader infrastructure challenge highlighted by the latest AIA’s ALARM survey report 20252, which shows a £16.81 billion total backlog for bringing the entire local road network to ideal conditions.
“While today’s £1 billion investment is a significant first step, it underscores the magnitude of the infrastructure deficit that has built up over years of underinvestment. This is not just a technical issue – it’s an economic and social problem that affects communities, businesses and emergency services daily. Our infrastructure is under increasing pressure from extreme weather events and climate change and the government’s commitment to making transport infrastructure more resilient to these challenges is crucial for futureproofing our networks.
“The publication of the Infrastructure Strategy provides an important opportunity to understand the government’s long-term vision for addressing the UK’s infrastructure challenges – we look forward to receiving more detail about how this will support local authorities in delivering essential improvements to our transport networks when it is published.”
(Pic: ADEPT)
Highway News
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18 June 20252 min readAdept Welcomes Government’S £1 Billion Investment In Vital Road Structures
Highway News
18 June 2025
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Centre Halts Goa Ring Road Project Until 40-Km Highway Work FinishesIn a significant setback to Goa’s infrastructure development plans, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has put the proposed Rs 150 billion ring road project on hold. The ministry has directed the state to first complete the remaining 40 km of its national highway expansion, which began in 2016, before initiating any new works.
The ring road, initially approved in December 2022, was intended to ease internal traffic congestion by enabling the smooth movement of heavy interstate vehicles through a dedicated outer corridor. However, the ministry has clarified that construction of the ring road cannot proceed until all pending highway widening works are completed.
The incomplete stretches of the highway expansion are located in key areas such as Cuncolim, Canacona, Bhoma, and Ponda. These works, aimed at addressing traffic requirements until 2030, have no clear completion timeline, raising concerns among officials about potential delays in future infrastructure planning. A review of traffic density is scheduled for 2030 to reassess road needs.
The ministry has warned that advancing the ring road without finishing the existing works would breach planning regulations. The highway expansion project has been plagued by various challenges, including land acquisition delays, environmental concerns, structural objections, and demands for elevated corridors. Changes in project scope have further contributed to the delays.
During the tenure of former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, authorities had opted to begin work on stretches where land was already available, with the remaining sections to be developed later. This phased approach, however, led to complications, as contractors took advantage of the situation to claim cost escalations due to delays.
With both the ring road and highway expansion in limbo, Goa’s broader infrastructure goals remain stalled until the foundational road works are brought to completion.
News source: Daiji World
Construction World
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12 June 20252 min readCentre Halts Goa Ring Road Project Until 40-Km Highway Work Finishes
Construction World
12 June 2025
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Delhi To Build 5-Km Tunnel Linking Shiv Murti And Mandela RoadNot available
Construction World
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12 June 20251 min readDelhi To Build 5-Km Tunnel Linking Shiv Murti And Mandela Road
Construction World
12 June 2025
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Walsh Construction To Replace Decrepit Providence Bridge For $339MCompleted in 1968, the two-span bridge over the Seekonk River is one of Rhode Island’s busiest traffic arteries, carrying some 96,000 vehicles a day.
But it’s had a troubled end-of-life.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) suddenly closed the westbound span in December 2023 after engineers discovered that a number of bracing pins had been severed.
RIDOT warned of “catastrophic failure” if the span stayed open.
At the time, the engineers were working on a $78m project to rehabilitate the bridge, begun in October 2021.
After the discovery, RIDOT deemed the bridge beyond saving, and began searching for a contractor to replace it completely. It’s now being demolished.
Incentives and penalties for the builder
A leading bridge builder, Walsh bid $339m for the job, but RIDOT added another $88m for what it called “soft costs for inspections and potential incentives and contingencies”, bringing the potential total cost to $427m.
Walsh starts next month surveying the site, ordering materials, and mobilising workers.
It committed to completing the project in November 2028, but could get up to $10m in incentives if lanes open ahead of schedule.
On the other hand, the builder faces penalties of $25,000 a day if the project goes over the deadline.
End to the nightmare
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee expressed relief that an end to the nightmare may be in sight.
“With a world-class construction company hired, a project cost that is well within our budgeted funds, and a project timeline that is driven by industry expertise, we’re positioned to deliver a bridge that will truly outlast our lifetimes,” he said.
A bit shorter
The new bridge will be designed to last 100 years and be easier to inspect and maintain.
Walsh plans to increase the number of lanes over the bridge from four to five, and build a new on-ramp from Gano Street and an off-ramp to Waterfront Drive.
The bridge will be built on an entirely new substructure, and its overall footprint will be 450 feet shorter than the old bridge, a decision that requires fewer piers in the river.
The current demolition project is on track for completion by the end of the year, with the demolition of the underwater foundation beginning in July.
Global Construction Review-Road
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11 June 20252 min readWalsh Construction To Replace Decrepit Providence Bridge For $339M
Global Construction Review-Road
11 June 2025
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Rhode Island’S Washington Bridge Replacement To Cost $571 MillionThe westbound Washington Bridge on Interstate 195 in Rhode Island is set to be replaced at an estimated total cost of $571 million and won’t reopen to traffic until late 2028 — more than two years later than initially projected.
Gov. Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation announced Friday that Walsh Construction Co. has been awarded the $427 million contract to build the new span.
The total cost includes $340 million in hard construction expenses and $87 million in soft costs, such as a $10 million incentive if Walsh finishes ahead of schedule. Demolition and emergency response costs push the full project price tag to $571 million.
The original bridge was closed abruptly during the evening commute in December 2023, after engineers discovered structural instability that could have led to a catastrophic collapse, according to officials. Initial hopes to repair the span were dashed after further inspection revealed internal steel corrosion.
“This has been a trying time for those who rely on the Washington Bridge,” McKee said, adding that the final bid was within the $713 million the state has budgeted from a mix of state and federal funding sources.
The state had originally hoped to complete the project by August 2026 for roughly $250 million to $300 million. But a lack of initial bidders and design revisions—including abandoning plans to reuse the old bridge’s piers—delayed the timeline and increased costs.
Walsh was chosen over American Bridge Co., which submitted a higher construction bid. State officials say the eastbound span currently carrying all traffic remains safe under enhanced inspection protocols.
Meanwhile, the state’s lawsuit against 13 companies involved in the failed bridge's past maintenance and the U.S. Department of Justice probe remain ongoing.
Source: Providencejournal.com, Turnto10.com
Roads & Bridges
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09 June 20252 min readRhode Island’S Washington Bridge Replacement To Cost $571 Million
Roads & Bridges
09 June 2025
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Balfour’S £208M Lincolnshire Road Job Heads To InquiryProposals for a £208m road job that was awarded to Balfour Beatty three years ago are to go to a public inquiry next month.
Lincolnshire County Council said the formal process of examining legal orders for North Hykeham Relief Road would begin on 1 July.
Balfour Beatty was named in April 2022 to design and build the section of dual carriageway, which will complete a ring road around Lincoln.
The county council approved planning permission for the scheme last year but land owners, businesses and statutory bodies have raised objections to legal instruments needed for it to proceed.
Now the Department for Transport (DfT), which is backing the project with more than £100m, has ordered a public inquiry into the compulsory purchase order and side road order requested to allow construction of the road.
A planning inspector will listen to both sides and decide whether these orders should be granted.
Michael Cheyne, executive member for highways at the county council, said: “Any road project of this size requires a lot of work before we can start building new roads and bridges but our project team is getting us closer and closer to breaking ground.
“Despite an inquiry being required, we are continuing to progress with the scheme with the intention of starting construction works later this year.
“This scheme is essential to supporting the growth of the area and keeping the county moving, so I look forward to seeing work commence soon.”
The compulsory purchase order would allow the council to acquire outstanding plots of land for the relief road while the side roads order would enable it to improve local links to the highway.
The North Hykeham Relief Road would see a dual carriageway built linking the A46 Pennells Roundabout to the newly constructed Lincoln Eastern Bypass.
As part of the project, new roundabouts would be built at South Hykeham Road, Brant Road and Grantham Road. A number of bridges would also be constructed, including at Station Road and over the River Witham.
Balfour Beatty and the DfT have been contacted for comment.
Construction News
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09 June 20252 min readBalfour’S £208M Lincolnshire Road Job Heads To Inquiry
Construction News
09 June 2025
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Spain’S $108M A-127 Regional Road Upgrade Guaranteed By Assured GuarantyIn a major boost to regional infrastructure, Assured Guaranty (Europe) SA (AGE), a subsidiary of the Bermudian financial powerhouse Assured Guaranty Ltd., has stepped in to guarantee a substantial project financing loan worth EUR 96 million (approximately US$ 108 million).
This strategic move will underpin critical upgrades to the A-127 regional highway in the autonomous community of Aragón, located in north-eastern Spain.
The 23-year fixed-rate facility, bearing a 3.65% coupon, represents a long-term commitment to regional development and enhanced mobility. Bankinter S.A., Kutxabank S.A., and Unicaja Banco S.A. have jointly issued the loan, while Bondholders S.L. assumes the role of security agent and trustee for the financial guarantee. The transaction marks another confident stride by Assured Guaranty in the European project finance landscape.
The lion’s share of the funds will be funnelled into two vital segments of the A-127:
Widening a 24-kilometre section between Tauste and Ejea de los Caballeros
Completely rebuilding a 14-kilometre stretch between Tauste and Gallur
Together, these improvements are expected to bolster road safety, reduce travel times, support economic growth in the region, and futureproof the highway for increased freight and autonomous vehicle readiness. With this project, the A-127 is poised to evolve from a dated provincial connector into a modern, high-capacity thoroughfare capable of handling tomorrow’s transport demands.
The A-127, while perhaps not a household name, plays a significant role in Spain’s secondary road network. Stretching through the agricultural heartland of Aragón, this corridor serves as a critical conduit between Zaragoza and smaller towns like Ejea de los Caballeros and Tauste. The road facilitates not only passenger traffic but also the transport of agricultural goods—a key economic driver in this part of Spain.
The reconstruction of this route is set to enhance intermunicipal connectivity and, just as crucially, improve access to Zaragoza’s wider logistics and commercial ecosystem. This ties in neatly with Spain’s ongoing infrastructure modernisation plan, which prioritises both environmental sustainability and regional cohesion.
Raphael de Tapol, Directeur Général of Assured Guaranty, commented: “This PPP transaction shows the value of our guarantee to major infrastructure sponsors seeking to issue cost-effective long-term debt for essential public sector infrastructure projects. The Aragon A-127 road project, which is part of the Aragon Regional Road Network Investment Plan, stimulates the local economy and provides the region with tangible societal benefits, improved connectivity and enhanced safety. We are proud to guarantee this financing for a project that reflects the best of public-private cooperation in the Spanish market.”
In a nod to the future, planners have ensured the upgraded A-127 will be fully compatible with the requirements of autonomous and connected vehicles. That means:
Integrated road sensors for monitoring traffic flow and conditions in real time
Upgraded road markings and signage optimised for machine vision systems
Reliable mobile network coverage, supporting vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications
These enhancements aren’t just flashy gimmicks; they’re essential. Autonomous vehicles (AVs) rely on precise, well-maintained infrastructure to safely operate. Roads designed with AVs in mind reduce accidents, support smoother traffic patterns, and lower vehicle emissions by minimising stop-start congestion.
According to a 2023 report by the European Commission, intelligent road infrastructure is expected to play a critical role in achieving net-zero transport emissions by 2050. This puts projects like the A-127 upgrade squarely at the intersection of transport safety and climate resilience.
The financing of this project follows a familiar but robust public-private model. While the construction risk lies with the private sector, Assured Guaranty’s financial guarantee provides bondholders with security and confidence.
Key Parties:
This layered approach spreads risk, enhances investor appeal, and leverages deep expertise across the legal and financial spectrum.
Assured Guaranty isn’t a stranger to large-scale transport infrastructure. With a strong track record of underwriting municipal and structured financings across Europe and North America, AGE’s involvement lends both credibility and rigour to the deal.
Raul Serrano, Managing Director, Infrastructure Finance of Assured Guaranty, commented: “The successful close of this project marks a significant milestone, not only for AGE, but also for the broader banking and investment sector in Spain. It demonstrates the value of our financial guarantee for lenders. We are especially pleased to have worked alongside these three banks and look forward to opportunities to work together in the future.”
Their investment-grade rating also reassures lenders and pension funds alike, making this type of infrastructure bond a popular choice for conservative portfolios.
Construction activities are slated to begin in the second half of 2025, following final environmental and engineering approvals. The concession will run for 25 years under a design-build-finance-operate-maintain (DBFOM) contract. Local construction firms are expected to be heavily involved, spurring job creation in the region.
To mitigate environmental impacts, the project includes the planting of native vegetation along reconstructed verges, modern drainage solutions to prevent flooding, and noise-reducing asphalt mixes. In short, it won’t just be bigger; it’ll be smarter and greener too.
For the province of Zaragoza and the broader Aragón region, the road upgrade represents a transformative step.
Here’s what locals can expect:
Improved traffic safety, reducing accident rates along historically dangerous curves and narrow sections
Boosted local economies through better freight access to Zaragoza and international logistics corridors
Job creation, both during construction and ongoing maintenance phases
The A-127 also forms part of Spain’s effort to reverse rural depopulation. With better transport links, smaller towns become more attractive for families and businesses, injecting new life into ageing communities.
Across Europe, regional roads are finally stepping into the spotlight. After decades of underinvestment, the EU and its member states are acknowledging the strategic importance of sub-national transport links.
According to the European Investment Bank (EIB), regional infrastructure upgrades can deliver up to a 2.5x return on investment over 30 years when measured through productivity gains and economic output.
Spain, in particular, has embraced the idea of balanced development—investing in secondary routes like the A-127 to ensure no region is left behind. As climate adaptation and digital transformation take centre stage, these roads are becoming testbeds for smart mobility solutions.
The A-127 project is more than just tarmac and concrete; it’s a blueprint for sustainable, forward-thinking infrastructure. By weaving together safety, technology, environmental sensitivity, and regional development, it stands as a model for other regions seeking similar transformation.
With a rock-solid financial foundation, thanks to Assured Guaranty’s backing, and a comprehensive development plan, this project proves that infrastructure done right is still one of the best bets for long-term prosperity.
Highways Today - Road
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08 June 20256 min readSpain’S $108M A-127 Regional Road Upgrade Guaranteed By Assured Guaranty
Highways Today - Road
08 June 2025
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£225M Carlisle Southern Link Road Construction Makes Advances Amid Dry SpringGalliford Try’s construction of the Carlisle Southern Link Road made significant progress during May, with earthworks and structural development moving forward in the dry weather.
After enduring one of the wettest summers on record last year, the project has benefited from one of the driest springs in more than a century, according to the Met Office. This shift in weather has allowed work to accelerate on several key elements of the road.
Galliford Try’s work on the 8km road started in 2023 with 800,000t of bulk excavation, which was to be done over two summers. However, Galliford Try project manager Phil Robinson told NCE last year that the wet weather had delayed its 2024 earthworks from summer to “late autumn”.
“The nature of the clay ground we are working on means that if you get more than a couple of days of rain you have to pull off, so as to avoid damaging it,” explained Robinson at the time. “We’ve had some challenges around quality of the material and we’re doing a lot of onsite lime treatment to get it up to the appropriate quality for reuse.”
Fortunes have now changed for the project in 2025, Cumberland Council has reported in its latest update on the project.
Overview of the Carlisle Southern Link Road project
Surfacing work has commenced on the section of the new road between Burthwaite Road, beneath the newly constructed Stoneraise Bridge and the emerging Durdar Roundabout. This marks a notable step towards completing the route’s driving surface.
The largest structure on the project is the Caldew Crossing, a bridge over the Cumbrian Coastline Railway and the River Caldew. The three-span structure measures 170m in length, 18m in width and has 20m clearance over the river. Following the placement of all 18 weathering steel beams for the Caldew Crossing in January (pictured), a major milestone was achieved in May with the overnight concrete pour for the deck of the span over the railway. This operation places the project on schedule for subsequent deck pours in the coming months, ensuring the crossing structure’s timely progress.
Moreover, the construction of the road box between the M6 Junction 42 and Petteril Bridge has been completed and is visible from Newbiggin Road. This development forms part of the preparations for an imminent closure of Newbiggin Road, which will facilitate further work on the link road.
Seven of the planned eight ponds along the route have now been formed, with efforts underway to line and topsoil them. These water features are expected to be planted later in the year as part of the road’s environmental mitigation strategy.
The Carlisle Southern Link Road is a significant infrastructure undertaking designed to improve traffic flow and connectivity around the city.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government – formerly the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities – committed £212M towards the link road as it will support the construction of St Cuthbert’s Garden Village, comprising more than 10,000 homes, on farmland south of Carlisle city centre. Meanwhile, Cumberland Council has allocated £13.4M, including £3.4M from the future sale of council-owned land for the development.
The Carlisle Southern Link Road will also improve east to west connectivity by linking the radial highways south of the city – the A595 and the A6. It will also insert much-needed crossings of two railway lines and two rivers. But just as important are the facilities for active travel that the scheme includes.
There are four bridges planned for cyclists and pedestrians that will provide grade-separated crossings at junctions along the length of the route. These bridges will also facilitate connections into the active travel infrastructure that is part of the village masterplan. The scheme additionally includes five roundabouts and five road bridges.
As the project moves through its various construction phases, local authorities continue to monitor progress and weather impacts closely to meet planned deadlines.
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06 June 20254 min read£225M Carlisle Southern Link Road Construction Makes Advances Amid Dry Spring
New Civil Engineer (Road)
06 June 2025
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$964 Million Road Maintenance Blitz Now CompleteWorks have wrapped up on all major rehabilitation road projects backed by last year’s $964 million road maintenance blitz package across Victoria’s west.
Some of regional Victoria’s busiest connections have been improved or upgraded, including the Midland, Sunraysia, Wimmera and Western highways as well as Beaufort-Lexton, Bacchus Marsh-Gisborne and Horsham-Kalkee.
More than 1.5 kilometres of Midland Highway has been upgraded in Elaine near Woolshed Road as well as 800 metres of the Midland Highway in Blampied, near Blampied-Mollongghip Road.
The Midland Highway links Ballarat and Geelong and serves as a key freight route for agricultural industries – while also connecting local commuters to jobs and services.
Related stories:
Various sections of the Western Highway were improved, with rehabilitation works now complete on 2.7 kilometres between Spring Hill Creek and Trawalla Road at Trawalla, one kilometre near Mallee Dam Road at Lawloit and 500 metres near Olinda Street at Beaufort.
All up, about 70 per cent of the $964 million funding went to regional roads.
Recently, the Victorian Government announced the Better Roads Blitz program that will aim to fix potholes and upgrade road surfaces across Victoria as part of the 2025/26 State Budget.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said the package has delivered smoother and safer journeys for motorists.
“We’re delighted to reach this major milestone in the historic 2024/2025 road maintenance program, with roads across Western Victoria being improved to ensure our road freight and farming network can continue to move safely and efficiently,” she said.
Roads & Infrastructure
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06 June 20252 min read$964 Million Road Maintenance Blitz Now Complete
Roads & Infrastructure
06 June 2025
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£115M Melton Mowbray Distributor Road Construction Entering Final PhaseWork on Melton Mowbray’s £115M Distributor Road is entering its final phase, with the new route expected to open in spring 2026.
The North and East Melton Mowbray Distributor Road (NEMMDR) is the largest highways project ever undertaken by Leicestershire County Council. Stretching 7.1km, the single carriageway road aims to alleviate long-standing traffic congestion in the town and support future growth.
Construction began in early 2023, initially focusing on access routes, site setup, vegetation clearance, and fencing.
Contractor Galliford Try commenced the main phase of building in May 2023 and has so far progressed according to schedule. The project includes six new roundabouts, four bridges, and crossings over the railway line and the River Eye, an environmentally sensitive Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The road will also feature 3m wide continuous cycling and walking paths.
Overview of North and East Melton Mowbray Distributor Road scheme
Main structures completed in February
In February, Galliford Try completed the installation of the project’s final major structure: a 47m railway bridge over the Birmingham to Peterborough line at Lag Lane.
The bridge lift, completed in nine hours, involved the careful positioning of two pairs of steel girders, each weighing around 150t. The operation utilised one of the largest cranes in the UK, the LR1700 crawler crane, notable for being the only crane of its kind in the country. The engineering feat demanded close collaboration between the client, Leicestershire County Council (LCC), Network Rail, design firm Aecom and contractors including Ainscough, Briton Fabricators, JOS Structures, and Collins Earthworks.
Work then turned to completion of the bridge deck in situ.
This railway bridge marked the fourth and final major structure on the NEMMDR, following the completion of two smaller 15m road bridges and a 54m crossing over the diverted River Eye last November.
Girder lifted into place for bridge over railway
Upcoming road closures to accelerate completion
Once complete, in spring 2026, the NEMMDR will link the A606 Nottingham Road on Melton’s north-western edge to the A606 Burton Road in the south, crossing several key local roads. It is expected to reduce congestion within the town centre, improve road safety, and encourage sustainable travel options.
To complete the remaining works, including the construction of the final two roundabouts and road resurfacing, several temporary road closures have been announced. These will take place during the quieter summer months to minimise disruption during busier periods.
Key closures include:
Motorists are advised to plan their journeys carefully and follow clearly signed diversion routes. Authorities note that road layouts will have changed once the closures end, requiring attention from drivers.
This new distributor road forms part of a broader strategy to support Melton Mowbray’s development, including housing and business expansion, which has been held back by traffic issues in recent years.
Leicestershire County Council leader Dan Harrison said: “Not only is Melton Mowbray a fantastic place to live, work and grow up, its food heritage is fast making it a key tourist destination in our county.
“This large-scale investment in Melton’s transport infrastructure will have a hugely positive impact and help support the town’s growth, now and into the future. It’s fantastic to see the project enter its final phase.
“We know that planned road closures this summer will mean some temporary travel disruption in and around the town and we’d like to thank everyone affected in advance for their patience.
“In the longer-term, the new road will help to ease congestion in Melton’s busy town centre, reduce congestion, improve access to housing, leisure and employment hubs and keep HGVs away from unsuitable rural routes.”
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New Civil Engineer (Road)
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04 June 20254 min read£115M Melton Mowbray Distributor Road Construction Entering Final Phase
New Civil Engineer (Road)
04 June 2025
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