“Finally”
The tunnel through Hallandsåsen about to be opened
“Finally!”
This time, I begin with Gert Fylking’s classic quote when he over several years in live radio conveyed the Swedish Academy's announcement of this year's Nobel Laureates in Literature.
"Finally". On December 8th, the tunnel through Hallandsåsen will be inaugurated.
The Swedish Transport Administration calls it "Sweden's most challenging infrastructure project". That’s understandable. Who would have thought that it would take 23 years! But soon it's time to open the double track that will increase capacity from four to 24 trains per hour. That means more awaited freight, while the interference at Västkustbanan is reduced.
I completely agree with the Swedish Transport Administration about the two 8.7 kilometers long parallel tunnels through the ridge, which will mean a lot to travelers and the business community, locally, regionally and nationally.
But at what cost?
Awhile back I saw a list over the world’s worst infrastructure projects, when it comes to value for money invested. The tunnel through Hallandsåsen was on that list.
In the beginning the tunnel was budgeted to 585 million SEK. The final bill landed on 10.8 billion! And this is despite a lot of costs probably – I think – have been concealed. I actually believe that certain costs of the project ended up on other charge accounts.
The background to this preposterous bill is that project work was not made "from scratch".
Another negative aspect for us who have followed the tunnel through the years is that we have learned the name Rhoca Gil.
It was an effective sealant, which in the mid 90s was used to seal the tunnel from leaking water. The water in the streams and wells on the ridge disappeared. Rhoca Gil was a good sealant, but it caused emissions of acrylamide. Cows and fish became paralyzed and died. Tunnel workers suffered from nerve damages. In October 1997 the tunnel work was stopped, with an investigation and subsequent remediation as a result. After that, it took until 2004 before the work in the tunnel started again.
Indisputably, the finished tunnel will acquire several positive effects.
In addition to increased freight traffic, it will increase all kinds of relationships between Skåne and the rest of the country.
One example is that up until now, you have been able to hear almost all of our country’s dialects at Halmstad Central Station. Except for the Skåne-dialect! The reason for this is that it was almost impossible to take the train from Malmö, Helsingborg or Ängelholm to Halland's largest city. From December 13th, when the trains start running in the tunnel, this will probably change.
Considering the background of how this project has evolved and the huge money it has cost compared to the initial budget, I think it’s best to think twice if it’s really necessary to push through Västlänken in the way it is supposed to be done now.
I really hope that this project has been planned from the ground.
Otherwise there’s a risk that the second largest city in Sweden's will be paralyzed for a very long time.
Photo: Tunnel in Hallandsås / Trafikverket