Sustainability and green
For in-depth information on sustainability aspects of this project, please view the related Sustainability case study in PDF.
Rail travel is the green alternative for freight transportation, but today the Hallandsås ridge is a bottleneck for efficient rail travel. The finished rail tunnel through the ridge will increase rail capacity for goods trains and thereby increase competitiveness in relation to road freight.
Skanska-Vinci is certified in accordance with ISO 14001. Certification means that the project addresses environmental issues in a structured and systematic manner.
Treatment plant built outside the tunnel mouth.
Water plays a leading role in the tunnel project. The volume of water permitted to leak into the tunnel is regulated by an environmental permit. Comprehensive programs monitor ground water, tunnel water and watercourses. Tunnel water is the water that leaks into the tunnel. From the northern and southern worksites, the tunnel water flows from the tunnel construction site to the sea via two outlet water pipes. All water is treated and the pH value is adjusted in the treatment plant built outside the tunnel mouth.
The environment is temporarily impacted during the construction period. When the TBM passes, the groundwater level is lowered, but recovers to its original status after about a year, which is also the case for vegetation, creeks and watercourses. Certain animals that live in watercourses may be affected by the temporary lowering of the groundwater level.
Each year, the Swedish Transport Administration plans the protective measures that may be necessary based on the position of the TBM. Among other measures, the Swedish Transport Administration moved fish in the Lyabäcken stream to a fish farm during the period the stream was dry.
Wildlife is otherwise not disturbed. No permanent impact on the ridge is permitted and this includes nature, wildlife and water.
Meticulous chemical reviews
Considerable resources are dedicated to chemical reviews; all chemicals used undergo careful control. Skanska-Vinci compiles evaluation documentation on each chemical product, which is subsequently examined and analyzed by the Swedish Transport Administration.
Chemicals that risk coming into contact with groundwater under normal operations are also reviewed by the Environmental Assessment Team (Miljögranskningsgruppen), which is an independent review body. The Municipality of Båstad and the county administrative board are always informed of any planned use of the products.
The Environmental Assessment Team, the county administrative board and the municipalities of Båstad and Ängelholm review Skanska-Vinci’s and the Swedish Transport Administration’s work on the project.
Many environmentally sound choices
Environmental choices in everyday activities are also important. Although the environmental work is regulated to a considerable degree by legislation and regulations, environmental awareness permeates the entire project. This is reflected in the manner in which the project is controlled and plays an integral part in daily operations. Examples of environmentally sound choices are:
• The segments used in the concrete tubes are transported to Förslöv by rail from the plant in Åstorp.
• A model known as Clean Treatment was developed at the project’s water treatment plant. This entails a distinct reduction in the use of chemicals when the TBM is standing still for maintenance.
• We are working actively to reduce energy consumption and the volume of waste.
• We employ carbon offsetting to compensate for the journeys made by employees involved in the project.
• The TBM is powered by green electricity.
