Veidekke: Record high environmental score for Bergen Light Rail
Veidekke has been awarded the BREEAM certificate confirming the Excellent sustainability certification for the construction of the cycle path through the Kronstad tunnel in Bergen. The project for Bergen Light Rail received a score of 80.9%, which is the highest achieved for a construction project in Norway.
“We are very proud of the good results we have achieved together with Bergen Light Rail. High ambitions for sustainability are motivating, but the most important thing is that the process has given us inspiration and knowledge that we can apply in new projects. Documenting that we have succeeded is a significant added bonus,” says project manager Hans Aakre with Veidekke Bygg Bergen.
The Project D18 Kronstadt Tunnel Cycle Path was an extensive commission for the construction of an 800-metre pedestrian and cycle path in a former railway route. 450 metres runs through the 110-year-old Kronstad tunnel, which has now been extended and upgraded. New water pipes have been laid throughout the route, a tunnel through deposits has been built for pedestrian traffic, and a 100-metre-long concrete culvert has also been cast and a 70-metre-long rock tunnel has been driven for Bane NOR.
“This was an intricate project in a complex area with a cemetery, multiple neighbours and several hospitals close to the site. In its implementation, Veidekke has focused on the surrounding environment, which BREEAM certification has helped to systematise. At the same time, the certification has created an arena for innovation, and we are very pleased with the way this project has been carried out,” says environmental coordinator Jørgen Aarø with Bybanen Utvikling.
BREEAM Infrastructure is a tool for documenting and promoting sustainability for different types of infrastructure projects, such as roads, railways, bridges, landscaping and parks. Evidence-based assessment criteria and external verification are used to produce a result that can be published and used to measure sustainability in a project.
“Environmental certification is something we increasingly assist our customers with. It's pleasing that we managed to set a new record, but for the planet’s sake I hope that the record is broken as soon as possible. The industry must constantly find new and even more environmentally friendly ways of implementing civil engineering projects if we are to achieve our climate goals and meet our commitments,” Hans Aakre concludes.
Read more about the project here.
For further information, please contact:
Project Manager Hans Aakre with Veidekke Bygg Bergen, tel. +47 40 555 797, hans.aakre@veidekke.no
Communications Manager Helge Dieset, Veidekke, tel. +47 90 55 33 22, helge.dieset@veidekke.no
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Veidekke is one of Scandinavia’s largest contractors. In addition to undertaking all types of building and civil engineering assignments, the group also maintains roads and produces asphalt and aggregates. Veidekke emphasises stakeholder involvement and local experience. Annual turnover is approx. NOK 39 billion, and almost half of its 8,000 employees own shares in the company. Veidekke is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and has posted a profit every year since its inception in 1936.
