NCC to build first phase of Södra Länken highway

NCC has been commissioned by the National Road Administration's Stockholm Region to build the first phase of the Södra Länken highway link in Stockholm. The order is worth approximately SEK 400 million. "The first contract for the main tunnels has now been signed. NCC was selected as the contractor in the face of international competition and construction will now proceed as planned. Although the project entails difficulties of a purely technical nature, which will pose a challenge, we will probably find that the greatest challenge will lie in the contractor's and the National Road Administration's ability to take into account and cooperate with residents and motorists," says Hans Rode, Director of Highways at the Road Administration. Work will consist of approximately 4.5 kilometers of bedrock tunnels between Åmingevägen Road, adjacent to Årsta, and Huddingevägen Road. The main tunnels will consist of two parallel tunnels, one for each direction of traffic. Each tunnel will contain two traffic lanes for through traffic and one for exits and entries. Ramp tunnels, evacuation routes and operating facilities are also 3 included in the order. A total of approximately 420,000 m of rock will be blasted. The contract also includes seven underground bridges and other artificial buildings. "It is extremely gratifying to have received this order," says Bo Kednert, head of NCC's civil engineering operations in Sweden. "The order is a further recognition of our excellent bedrock engineering expertise. The quality of the bedrock in the area concerned is good and we will be using a well-established tunnel-boring technology, which for example will enable us to conduct a milder form of blasting work." "Environmental considerations are very important in this project. NCC's environmental management system will ensure that environmental matters are approached in a manner that satisfies the stringent demands being imposed. All of the employees who will be engaged in the project have received environmental training," continued Bo Kednert. "Providing local residents with information about the project is another important area, but minimizing the disturbances caused by blasting work, for example, will be at least equally important," adds Bo Kednert. In total, approximately 150 employees will be engaged in the project. Work will commence during the autumn and is scheduled to be completed in August/September 2001. For further information, please contact Bo Kednert, NCC Civil Engineering (+046-8-655 23 59, or +46-70-539 44 71), or Göran Svensson, Head of the Stockholm Region of NCC Civil Engineering (+046-8-782 04 38, or +46-70-621 03 98).