Mayan burial tomb discovered with lidar
An ancient Maya tomb dating back 1,700 years has been discovered by a Tulane University archaeological team at the site of Chochkitam in Guatemala near the borders of what are now Mexico and Belize.
The team found the burial along with funeral offerings, including a mosaic jade mask, rare mollusc shells and writings carved in human femur bones in 2022 through the use of lidar technology to map the ground of dense jungle from an aeroplane.
The Maya classic period spans 250-900 AD and little remains due largely to looting. In fact, the team discovered the tomb only about two metres from where looters had stopped digging.
One of the carved femur bones depicts the profile of a man believed to be a previously unknown king holding a jade mask like the one found in the tomb.
Hieroglyphs on the artifact are thought to identify the king's father and grandfather, linking the ruler to the Maya states of Tikal and Teotihuacan.
The next stage at the site will be to conduct DNA testing on the bones, as well as uncovering other key contents within the abandoned pyramid.
National tree map helps protect Galway city’s biodiversity
Galway City Council is applying Bluesky International’s unique National Tree Map data to assist the development of strategic planning policy designed to protect and support wildlife trying to survive in dwindling habitats due to the expansion of urban areas.
The data was used in a study by the Vincent Wildlife Trust to understand the functional connectivity of landscape features such as hedgerows and treelines.
As well as identifying key ecological corridors to protect and enhance them in the future, the map supports wildlife movement through and around the city addressing barriers to movement such as to the lesser horseshoe bat.
Seagrass around Italy to be mapped in groundbreaking ecosystem restoration project
The entire Italian coast and its habitats will be mapped as part of the Italian government’s Marine Ecosystem Restoration (MER) project, a groundbreaking initiative under the national recovery and resilience plan. The Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) has selected Fugro, in partnership with Compagnia Generale Ripreseaeree (CGR) to deliver the mapping component of the MER Project. Its aim is to restore the marine habitats, fortify the national system for observing marine and coastal ecosystems, and comprehensively map coastal and marine habitats across Italian waters (specifically Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa seagrass meadows). It is due to start in March 2024 and be completed by June 2026.
UK and Ontario to share knowledge and technology behind NUAR
The UK and government of Ontario, Canada have signed a collaborative agreement to share the knowledge and technology behind the UK’s National Underground Asset Register (NUAR). NUAR, a digital map of underground pipes and cables revolutionising the way buried infrastructure is installed, maintained, operated and repaired, is envisaged to deliver £490m per year, and around £5bn over a decade, of economic growth. The agreement paves the way for the Geospatial Commission, who is involved in building the map, to share best practice and technology from NUAR with Infrastructure Ontario and will collaborate to improve worker safety, reduce asset strikes and improve geospatial infrastructure data accuracy – using UK technology and knowledge to support Canadian infrastructure.
First comprehensive Europe cross-border review of offshore grid capacity
The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E ) has published the EU Offshore Network Development Plans (ONDPs). They are the first comprehensive cross-border review of existing and future offshore grid capacity and requirements at sea basin level. The plans will help to accelerate offshore wind expansion, as well as facilitate innovative grid solutions, integrating offshore wind power into Europe’s energy system. It will also help offshore wind developers, investors and the grid equipment supply chain see what offshore grids to expect for each European sea basin by 2030, 2040 and 2050. Integrated with national onshore grid development plans, the ONDPs will be reviewed every two years to bring them in line with technological development and progress on grid development.
buildingSMART International openBIM Awards 2024
Submissions for the buildingSMART openBIM Awards 2024 are being invited under four main themes in 10 categories: project delivery, operations, research, and technology, this year. In addition, the awards programme is now providing a BIM and GIS recognition for projects that demonstrate excellent use of both BIM and GIS in their entry. Submissions close on 31 May, with finalists announced 7 August. Finalists will be invited to present at the International Standards Summit in Marrakesh, Morocco, between 1-3 October 2024, with the winners announced on the evening of 3 October. For more info and to enter, visit www.buildingsmart.org/bsiawards-2024/.
Sustainable and inclusive economic growth plan for the North
Transport for the North (TfN) has published a plan for sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the north, enabled by transformational connectivity. The new strategic transport plan (STP) outlines how with the right investment and policy levers, together with transport infrastructure could provide a northern economy £118bn larger by 2050. It builds on the first plan published five years ago, with the new plan focusing on outcomes. To view the plan, visit https://tinyurl.com/r3u6z97h.
Repairs to bridge completed on scenic Devon landscape known as a viaduct
An historic two-arched bridge has been preserved for years to come thanks to National Highways’ Historical Railways Estate. Set in the middle of the Dartmoor landscape, the 1866 Lustleigh Viaduct – which should in fact be Lustleigh Bridge because it is short and only has two arches whereas viaducts feature a series of arches or spans – was being damaged by tree roots pushing into the masonry. Picked up during one of the bridge’s inspections, an 18-day programme of work began with ecologists undertaking local wildlife surveys and contractors removing roots from the bridge. The team temporarily removed sections of masonry to get to the roots but were then reinstated to keep to the structure’s original charm. In addition, contractors repointed and repaired damaged brick work and stitched fractures.
6bn Hudson Tunnel project partners selected
A consortium of Mace, Arcadis and Parsons has been selected to manage a 6bn scheme to build a new tunnel connecting New Jersey with New York. Chosen by the Gateway Development Commission, the MPA delivery partners will oversee the delivery of rail traffic under the Hudson river. Known as the Hudson Tunnel Project, it looks to improve commuter and intercity rail transit between New York, New Jersey and the northeast corridor from Boston down to Washington DC. Construction includes a two-tube, 2.4-mile-long tunnel, as well as repairing Amtrak’s existing North River Tunnel – damaged during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
Key findings from contractor report
A new survey from AECOM has found that increased competition is putting pressure on builders looking to fill order books and stave off insolvency fears this year. The London Main Contractor report found the rate of tender activity stands at 74%, five points higher than this time last year. Other key findings include 20% of tier one contractors are reporting a fall in new work, firms are more pessimistic about falling inflation – expecting it to run at an average of 3.4% in 2024 and the Building Safety Act is slowing new resi work, but this should begin to rebound in 2025 once contractors have adapted to the new regulations.
Image courtesy of Bentley Systems.
Marking its 40th anniversary, Bentley Systems announces CEO transition plan
Bentley Systems' CEO and co-founder, Greg Bentley will transition to executive chair of its board of directors in July. CEO since 1995, Greg is the oldest of five brothers who founded Bentley Systems. Keith, Ray, and Barry Bentley retired within the last several years and remain company directors. Nicholas Cumins, currently COO, will be promoted to CEO. The announcement was made during the opening of Bentley Systems’ new UK headquarters in the heart of London as it celebrated the company’s 40th anniversary. On the transition, Greg said: “I am very pleased to be able to retire from CEO responsibilities this year with such confidence that this completion of our extended succession process now leaves Bentley Systems demonstrably able to increase its potential, while safeguarding its established performance. Here’s to Bentley Systems’ next 40 years.”
College of West Anglia students visiting Constructionarium's base.
Offshore wind turbine construction project completed by college students
In a pioneering educational venture, students from the College of West Anglia completed the construction of a scaled replica of an offshore floating wind turbine at Constructionarium based in Norfolk. This initiative, named AngliaZero, is the result of a collaboration between Constructionarium, and the New Anglia Growth Fund. The week-long event saw students construct the fully operational 7.7m, 4t offshore floating wind turbine in a dry dock. It was then winched out into the lagoon, supplying power to a house they also constructed.
In brief:
- Costain company headquarters will be relocating to 70 St Mary Axe, in the heart of London. Costain will occupy all 17,181 sq ft of the seventh floor of the building as it increases its presence in the capital. The move is expected to complete in the second half of 2024.
- Bentley Systems has called for submissions to its 2024 Going Digital Awards in Infrastructure. The awards, which are judged by independent juries of industry experts, recognise infrastructure projects for going digital advancements in infrastructure. The deadline for nominations is 15 April, visit www.bentley.com/yii/.
- A venture between Orascom and Arab Contractors have chosen Sener to design the upcoming Cairo monorail network. Consisting of two lines, it features 96 kilometres of elevated track, 35 stations and two depots and is set to be the longest driverless monorail network in the world. One line is expected to be completed by the end of 2024 while the other is expected in 2025.
- A new white paper and technical report, titled 'A Time and a Place for Resilience' has been published by Frontier SI. It provides recommendations and a roadmap to strengthen Australia's positioning, navigation, and timing infrastructure offering effective strategies to safeguard Australia's critical infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted services.
- Balfour Beatty has begun work with SSEN Transmission on the development of nine electricity transmission projects across the north of Scotland. The work forms part of SSEN Transmission’s ‘Pathway to 2030’ network redevelopment programme, which Balfour Beatty was appointed in August 2023.