Infrastructure news – Page 275
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News
Through the Andes, not over them
ARGENTINA: At the end of January the governments of Argentina and Chile formally abandoned tendering for the project to restore the rail connection between their two countries, having received a single, non-compliant bid. Originally developed by Argentinian engineering consultancy Tecnicagua, the project would have seen the 225 km metre-gauge ...
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Running faster in the Netherlands
NETHERLANDS: Transport Minister Camiel Eurlings published on January 21 a discussion paper on reducing journey times for inter-regional passenger services. He has reserved €70m for this, budgeting €40m for infrastructure improvements and €30m for increasing the maximum speed from 140 to 160 km/h. Four routes have been upgraded in the ...
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NewsAn idea on the move
The Golden State's proposed 1 100 km high speed rail network would be the most expensive and ambitious public works project in California's history. If voters endorse the project in November, the initial phase could open in 2019.
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Djibouti-Ethopien concession talks
ETHIOPIA: Chemin de fer Djibouti-Ethopien has begun talks with Kuwait-based Fuad Algarim Group with a view to awarding a 20-year concession to operate the 781 km metre gauge line linking Addis Abeba and the port of Djibouti. A previous concessioning proposal by the governments of Ethiopia and Djibouti attracted nine ...
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Majors join forces for Mar del Plata bidding
ARGENTINA: Alstom and Siemens have joined forces to bid for the project to build a high speed line between Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata, where expressions of interest to prequalify for a turnkey contract were opened in the presence of President Cristina Fernández of Argentina on February 8. As ...
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News'A change of mindset'
California has embarked on an ambitious drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, through better planning of transport investment and economic development. Chris Jackson reports from Sacramento.
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Helsinki airport rail link awaits approval
FINLAND: The cabinet is expected to give approval shortly for the planned Ring Rail Line which will provide a link between the capital's main station and Helsinki-Vantaa airport. Tenders will be called in mid-2009, with completion scheduled for early 2014 at a cost of €512m. The state budget has allocated ...
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NewsCapacity challenge triggers £10bn investment surge
As Network Rail's 10-year West Coast Route Modernisation nears completion, Richard Hope explains why the UK government is signing up to a big increase in infrastructure projects targeted at accommodating unprecedented growth in passenger traffic alongside an expanding role for freight in cutting CO2 emissions
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Short line upgrades
CANADA: Transport Canada and the government of Québec announced on February 1 the award of grants to co-finance renewal and upgrading work on nine short line and regional railways over the next five years. The federal and provincial governments had announced a framework agreement in July 2007 for a package ...
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Middle East plans
GULF: Ambitious proposals to build urban rail networks have been unveiled by authorities in Doha and Kuwait City. Both projects are intended to complement existing plans for a network of main lines and suburban routes across the Gulf states (RG 12.07 p756). A 140 km light rail network has ...
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NewsHeavy haul developments
AUSTRALIA: Fortescue Metals subsidiary The Pilbara Infrastructure has lodged an application with Australia's National Competition Council seeking access to Rio Tinto's Robe River heavy haul line. TPI is seeking to operate trains over 210 km of track between Mesa J and Cape Lambert, with a view to enabling third parties ...
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NewsLegendary task of painting the Forth Bridge to end
UK: Painting the Forth Bridge has become a British proverb, a task so big that it can never be finished; by the time you have reached one end, it is time to start re-painting the other again. Never strictly true - painting has always been prioritised ...
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NewsOperating rules pose a major challenge to ETCS implementation
Although common technical and functional specifications for the European Train Control System are laid down in the Technical Specifications for Interoperability, the lack of common operating rules could hinder the development of international corridors, suggests Chris Jackson
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NewsLibyan links back on track
CONSTRUCTION of two long-planned rail links in the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya is to go ahead following the award of two contracts to China Railway Construction Corp. Work is expected to start in June on a 352 km route parallel to the Mediterranean coast between Al Khums and ...
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SNCFT awards Tunis electrification contract
TUNISIA: National railway SNCFT has awarded a consortium of Alstom and Ansaldo STS a €54m contract to electrify the 23 km metre-gauge Tunis Ville - Borj Cedria suburban line at 25 kV 50 Hz. Alstom has a €36m share of the contract, which was announced on February 7. Work to ...
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Tracklayers arrive in Ukraine
UKRAINIAN Railways took delivery of two Desec TL 70UZ switch and crossing laying machines at the end of 2007. They have been supplied under UZ’s second contract with the Finnish manufacturer, which followed an international tender backed by the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development. The Tracklayers will be ...
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Opening up Afghan trade route to Iran
Construction of a 191 km railway from Iran to Herat in Afghanistan, with the prospect of an extension across Afghan territory to Sher Khan Bandar, promises to stimulate trade with Central Asia. Murray Hughes reports
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Delhi awards airport rail link PPP contract
DELHI METRO Rail Corp has awarded a 30-year build-operate-transfer PPP contract for the Airport Metro Express Line to a consortium formed of utility company Reliance Energy and Spanish rolling stock manufacturer CAF. The 22·7 km line will link New Delhi station with Indira Gandhi International Airport via intermediate stations ...
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RZD adopts long-range development strategy
RUSSIA: An ambitious 25-year plan for the evolution of the Russian rail network was formally adopted on November 24, reports Boris Lukov
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NewsArgentina confirms high speed rail consortium
AN INTERNATIONAL consortium led by Alstom has been formally selected to build South America's first high speed railway, President Cristina Fernández of Argentina officially announced on January 16. The Veloxia consortium was named as preferred bidder for a turnkey contract to construct the Buenos Aires – Cordoba line in June ...