Gothenburg’s longest bridge reduces traffic congestion
Like a red snake, the 1,150-meter-long Partihallsförbindelsen Bridge coils between the E45 and E20 expressways in Gothenburg. The Partihallsförbindelsen Bridge, which was inaugurated in December 2011, is a four-lane overpass connecting the E20 with the E45 and aims to relieve the pressure on the E6 expressway between the Olskroksmotet and Gullbergsmotet intersections. By 2020, the traffic volume on the bridge is expected to be about 30,000 vehicles per day. Traffic will then be reduced by about 15 percent on other parts of the road network that were previously very congested.
Skanska has been the general contractor for the construction project that commenced in August 2008. The Partihallsförbindelsen Bridge was built in a cramped industrial area between the E20 in the east and the E45 in the west, both of which were extremely busy throughout the project period. Furthermore, the Säveån River also flows through the area, which is designated a Natura 2000 area and thus has special protection and conservation values. Despite the tough conditions, the project was completed on schedule and the cost came in below budget.
The Partihallsförbindelsen Bridge is the first phase of the infrastructure construction project in the Gothenburg region. The next phase will address the Marieholm Tunnel under the Göta Älv River and a new interchange at Hisingen.
Award-winning project
As confirmation of the success of the project, the work on the Partihallsförbindelsen Bridge was awarded the FIA’s (Renewal in the Civil Engineering Industry) quality prize for an exemplary civil engineering project in the category “Construction and maintenance.” The prize, which is awarded by FIA Sweden, aims to stimulate innovation and cooperation and to highlight and communicate good examples.
The project also received the Swedish Transport Administration’s work environment prize for 2010.
