Roundup: SCT highway construction and maintenance, and Bahamas PPPs

Mexico's transport and communications ministry, SCT, will invest 38bn pesos (US$2.84bn) in the modernization and construction of highway infrastructure during 2013, according to a release from the SCT. The investment will be used to carry out modernization and construction works along 780km of highways. The SCT will invest an additional 16.7bn pesos in 6,200km of rural and feeder roads this year. *** Mexico's SCT plans to invest 13.8bn pesos in highway conservation during 2013, according to a release from the SCT. Some 20% of the country's 40,752km network of federal highways are in an "unsatisfactory," condition, according to SCT highway conservation director Alejandro Fernández. *** The Bahamas plans to expand the country's public-private partnerships (PPP) to fund public infrastructure, according to a release from the government. The government plans to seek private investment in office building and maintenance projects as well as the health, water, school and electricity sectors. A PPP has recently been concluded with the Genting Group for the construction and operation of a casino and hotel complex in Bimini, said prime minister Perry Christie. The Genting Group will invest in upgrades to the local airport as part of the deal.