Due to the varying geology of Hallandsås and large amounts of groundwater, tunnel construction is complicated. The tunnel is being constructed using a tunnel boring machine and sealed with concrete segments.
On the April 3, 2012, the TBM made a breakthrough in the mid adit andnow there is only 15% of the main tunnel left to be build. Due to the breakthrough we had an event for the media and you can read the press-release here (pdf doc, 28 kB).
You can also see a film from the breakthrough and some other clips from the project on our Youtube-channel at http://www.youtube.com/projekthallandsas
Why build a tunnel?
Transports are on the rise worldwide, particularly transports by car and lorry. Carbon dioxide is formed when fossil fuels such as petrol are burned, which contributes to the greenhouse effect – one of the major threats of our time to a long-term sustainable society. This increase in traffic has also led to more accidents, so it is imperative that more traffic be moved from roads to railways.
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History
Construction of the tunnel through the Hallandsås Ridge began in 1992. Five years later in 1997, Trafikverket (formerly known as Banverket) and Skanska discontinued construction due to environmental problems. One third of the tunnel had been constructed at the time. In 2001, the Swedish Government and Riksdag decided to resume the project and construction recommenced in 2003.
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Geology and natural conditions
At ten kilometres wide and several tens of kilometres long, the Hallandsås Ridge towers above the flat landscape of southern Sweden. The ridge is a bedrock horst, formed by powerful forces millions of years ago. Below the picturesque surface, lies partly cracked and disintegrated rock, with large amounts of water. Building a tunnel under these conditions is a major challenge.
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Construction technology
The construction of the tunnel through the Hallandsås Ridge is being carried out by approximately 300 people from throughout Europe and a tunnel boring machine named Åsa. To ensure that the tunnel is sealed, a concrete pipe is being built behind the machine. While Åsa bores from the south to the north, the rock in the geologically weak Mölleback zone is being frozen.
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Environment and control
Implementing a major infrastructure project without affecting the environment is impossible. However, the goal is to minimise the impact. The Hallandsås project has learned from earlier incidents during the tunnel construction and environmental initiatives are now a central part of the construction work. Several internal and external control systems are in place to look after the water, chemicals and ecology.
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Safety in the completed tunnel
Railways are a safe method of transport and travelling by train through the tunnel will be just as safe as taking the train in the open.
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Exhibition
At the exhibition, you can learn more about the reasons behind this investment in the Swedish rail system, the geology of the ridge, the history of the tunnel construction and how the tunnel is being built.
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