The New Bridge in Autio Enables Smoother Transport
31 October 2024, 12:00 CET
In June, construction began on the temporary bridge in Autio, which will be used while the new bridge is being built. The new bridge is expected to be operational by 2026, and it will have a higher load capacity and allow two-way traffic. The speed limit on the new bridge will be 90 km/h.
The project is divided into stages, with the temporary bridge as the first step, followed by the demolition of the old bridge to make way for a new bridge in the same location. Currently, work is underway on the supports for the temporary bridge, which is scheduled to open to traffic by June 30, 2025.
– The work is progressing well, and we are following the set schedule, says Linnéa Lundberg, project manager at the Swedish Transport Administration.
In this case, a so-called emergency bridge will be used, which will be launched onto the concrete supports currently under construction. The emergency bridge is a steel truss bridge owned by the Swedish Transport Administration, which can be used for various projects around the country where a temporary detour is needed.
What are the challenges of building a temporary bridge?
– Here, the Torne River presents a challenge with its intense ice break-up, which requires the temporary supports to be as stable as those of a regular bridge to withstand the ice break-up, says Linnéa Lundberg.
The temporary bridge will be approximately four meters wide and built downstream from the existing one. Traffic will be regulated by traffic lights, with a speed limit of 30 km/h over the bridge. Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to cross the river on a walkway attached to the bridge.
The MaKS Project Expected to Be Completed in 2027
Beyond the Autio bridge, remaining work includes the Autio-Anttis stretch, expected to be completed in 2025. Following that, construction of reindeer and wildlife fencing, as well as wildlife crossings, will be carried out along the E45 between Vittangi and Svappavaara. The entire MaKS project is projected to be fully completed by 2027.