The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United National have confirmed that they are to support an amibitious plan by the South African government to boost public transport infrastructure ahead of the 2010 World Cup. GEF proposals include the running of pilot projects in some of the nine World Cup venues

Being carried out in two phases, work is now well advanced on Protekon Construction's contract for the building of two new berths for island View Terminal in the Port of Durban. Protekon Port and Rail Solutions has also recently completed a new R34m rail terminal in the harbour

A world first in hydraulics and stadium construction, China's new Nantong stadium's roof is composed of two elliptical shells which open and close on demand via rails and an innovative trolley system

A 760m long horseshoe shaped tunnel being constructed in Mamelodi, Tshwane, helps to preserve the pristine Baviaanspoort region. GVM Incorporated is the lead consultant, with VKE International as the tunnel sub-consultant, with both companies jointly responsible for site supervision on a project that has encountered a number of geotechnical challenges

Chryso expands on the benefits and correct application techniques for self-compacting concrete, including new developments in terms of admixtures, which represent a critical element in the fabrication process

Holcim's cement and readymix divisions are working closely with South African contractors on a wide range of projects in the local market, from extensions to Melrose Arch to an overhaul of a 40km section of the N6 in the Eastern Cape

During the construction of the new Jaber Al-Ahmed International Stadium in Kuwait, the use of Doka's climbing cantilever formwork has done away with the need for equipment-intensive high-cost falsework supports for the up to 65m high stepped beams

Bill Pullen, CEO of consulting engineering and turnkey solutions company, Thuthuka Group Limited, stresses the need to specify the correct liners and membrane thicknesses within the geotechnical design for containment systems, illustrated by a number of recent projects

De Beers' Finsch diamond mine is continuously upgrading its plant and facilities to take advantage of new technology, with the civil and earthworks for the latest phase, being undertaken by Grinaker-LTA Civil Engineering, presenting some daunting challenges

Leif Hultman, president of Global Manufacturing at Volvo Truck Corporation, was recently in South Africa to officially open Volvo's new Durban plant, which is now considered as the Group's most technically advanced CKD facility worldwide