Title: Milestone Achieved: Final Blast Opens Second Tunnel for Bypass Stockholm
Subtitle: Bypass Stockholm Project Reaches Significant Milestone with Completion of Second Tunnel
Bypass Stockholm, Sweden’s largest infrastructure project, marked a significant milestone on Wednesday as project manager Camilla Magnusson pressed the button to blow away the final partition wall of the tunnel. The explosion, which took place 65 meters below Mälaren’s bottom, opened the second tunnel connecting the northern and southern parts of Stockholm. The event was hailed as a major achievement by the Swedish Transport Administration.
The countdown to the blast was filled with silence until the vibrations and waves of the explosion cascaded through the tunnel. The pressure wave sent tremors through everyone present, confirming the success of the detonation.
Project manager Camilla Magnusson expressed her relief and joy as everyone applauded the completion of the explosive task. She described the pressure wave as intense, vibrating through her entire body. The opening of the tunnel all the way from north to south is expected to facilitate traffic flow through the city.
While the tunnel blast was a cause for celebration, there is still a lot of work remaining before the road can be opened to traffic. The masses of rock that have been blasted away, equivalent to eleven and a half Globes, would be recycled and secured for future use. The road will undergo further construction to transform gravel and mud into asphalted roads with three lanes in each direction.
The Swedish Transport Administration utilized emulsion explosives for the blasts, which require mixing liquids before use. Approximately one and a half tons of explosives were used for this particular blast. The administration is committed to recycling as much of the blasted rock as possible.
An explosion like this is not dangerous for both workers underground and residents above ground. Before each blast, the Swedish Transport Administration sends SMS reminders and even conducts home visits to inform and reassure residents in nearby areas. Once the smoke clears, work resumes swiftly, and the four-meter-thick rock walls become nothing more than piles of stone.
Klas Dalberg, the Project Manager Berg, expressed his emotions after achieving this significant milestone. He stressed the dedication and hard work put into reaching this point. The completion of the tunnel symbolizes safety and certainty for future generations.
The Bypass Stockholm project aims to relieve the existing road network in Stockholm, making travel from north to south faster and easier. The 21-kilometer stretch, running from Kungens kurva to Häggvik, is expected to be ready for use by 2030. The project is estimated to cost SEK 41.7 billion.
In conclusion, the completion of the second tunnel for the Bypass Stockholm project is a remarkable achievement. It brings the city of Stockholm one step closer to enhanced traffic connectivity and smoother transportation between the northern and southern parts of the city.