PROJECT | STOCKHOLM BYPASS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH CLIENT’S PROJECT MANAGER
Camilla Magnusson is Trafikverket’s Project Manager for the Stockholm Bypass. She discussed some of the complexities of co-ordinating such a large-scale construction project with Julian Champkin
T&TI (Julian Champkin - JC): How long have you managed the project? Trafikverket (Camilla Magnusson - CM): I have been in charge of this project since the Autumn of 2022. When I joined, we were in full production and had about one year left of hard rock tunnel driving. I had the honour of experiencing the tunnel breakthrough, which was a very important milestone for us.
JC: How have you co-ordinated the different requirements and people on the large project? CM: This is a huge project, or actually a programme, consisting of several large projects with around 60-70 contracts running more or less in parallel. One of the major challenges has been, and still is, to get everyone moving in the same direction and understanding the dependencies we have internally. That is always a challenge in projects of this size. A small delay in one part can have major consequences for other projects, so we have to avoid sub-optimisation and tunnel vision (pun intended). To make sure we work in the same direction as one single
programme, we have, among other things, established a central organisation that coordinates timelines and production for all projects and contracts. This gives us a clear picture of all the dependencies between projects and enables us to identify problems and challenges at an earlier stage than what would otherwise have been the case. We also consistently work with creating a transparent
culture, increasing the understanding for each other’s challenges and the impact our work has on each other. Needless to say, an important factor when working as a team is that people not only enjoy their work but also feel appreciated and seen. This is an area that we continuously address with all leaders in the programme. I am very, very proud to work with this team; the people
are highly competent, and they are also able to step outside of their own responsibilities, if needed, to ensure that we succeed as a team.
JC: How are environmental issues addressed? CM: In each respective contract, the Swedish Transport Administration has set requirements for the contractor to work towards reducing carbon dioxide emissions during the construction phase. Savings can be achieved either by selecting materials with a lower carbon footprint or by finding design solutions that require less use of climate- impacting materials, such as steel, concrete, and fuel. Each contractor must develop an action plan describing
how they intend to meet this requirement, and the Swedish Transport Administration has subsequently conducted annual follow-ups on the work. Once the
project is completed, the contractor must submit a climate declaration detailing how savings have been achieved and what measures have been taken to meet the goal. When we procured contracts for the Stockholm Bypass
project, there were not many electric construction vehicles available, so we were unable to set requirements for their use at that time. However, the Swedish Transport Administration is actively working on these issues at a central level.
JC: Any unforeseen problems? If so, how were they resolved? CM: In a project of this size, you always meet unforeseen problems at some point. We have, historically, had challenges with the quality of the rock as well as water leakage. Not impossible challenges but it has forced us to rethink and try other methods.
JC: JC: What design measures are used for long tunnel drives? CM: The aesthetic design is a direct result of the E4 Stockholm Bypass’ Design Programme, which was a part of the Final Design Plan of the E4 Stockholm Bypass, from around 2011. The Design Programme contains guidelines for the architectural design of the tunnel, and surface road areas of the E4 Stockholm Bypass. Regarding the underground tunnel exits, they were subject
to a design competition which resulted in five winning art concepts, by three different artists. The purpose of the Design Programme covers several criteria and design aspects: ● To help with orientation underground, e.g., by associating the tunnel exit to the surface location of the exit
● To mitigate the negative aspects of monotony from driving in a long tunnel
● Every cross-passage is designed to have its own identity, with names and numbers, and a dedicated spotlight highlighting the green cross-passage portal against the grey tunnel wall
● Artwork in the tunnel must be adapted to be viewed at high speed
● To act as complement to the more regular safety systems, such as signage and lighting
● Artwork has been designed so as not to distract drivers or affect road safety
Trafikverket (Swedish Transport Administration) has a long history of incorporating aesthetic design in complex road tunnels, e.g., in the Southern and Northern Link tunnels
The Q&A was edited for space and brevity.
22 | April 2025
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