Major bridge construction project awarded in Sweden

The contract has been awarded to Stockholm based Skanska (70%) and Denmark based MT Højgaard (30%) and covers construction of the bridge that will span both the river Göta Älv in Gothenburg and the Säverån river, as well as industrial areas of Marieholm and Tingstad. The bridge, to be built south of the existing Marieholm Bridge, will comprise a 1.5km long railroad bridge with a cycle lane and walkway, connecting important harbour and industrial areas and transport connections to the rest of Sweden and Norway. The new bridge will increase rail capacity, important as the existing bridge is limited to a single track which leaves it vulnerable to breakdown with major impact on the area.

MT Højgaard will be responsible for producing and installing the steel bridge with Skanska in charge of concrete constructions and earthworks. Similar to the first bridge, the new one will be a combined lift-swing bridge with an opening section of 72m. The contract sum is reported as SEK 790.6m, MT Højgaard reporting their expected revenue to be approximately SEK 237.2m. The bridge will be financed by the Swedish government, the city of Gothenburg, Gothenburg Port, the region of Västra Götaland and Volvo AB. Construction is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2014 with completion expected by second quarter of 2017. At its peak, the project is expected to provide jobs for approximately 130 people.

Skanska Sweden is one of the country’s major construction companies with operations in building and civil engineering construction and project development. With around 11,000 employees Skanska’s revenues in 2012 were approximately SEK 30bn.

MJ Højgaard has a broad portfolio covering most areas of construction and engineering, including marine civil engineering sectors. They are particularly active in the offshore wind industry with a significant presence in the turbine foundation construction and installation market. Their activities also include harbour and quay structure construction ranging from small marinas and fishing harbours to large-scale commercial harbours, and coastal protection structures.