Stockholm's Southern Link OpensSodra Lanken, Stockholm's south ring road, opened on 24th October. It is a 6 km infrastructure, comprising two main parallel 4.5 km tunnels and multiple access tunnels, with one or two lanes, so that the total tunnel length is 16.6 km. The project was started in 1997. Several contracts involved tunnelling (SL01, SL02, SL03, SL04, SL08, SL09, SL10, SL11 and SL23).The three main tunnel contracts are SL01, SL02 and SL03. Contract SL01 includes the 2 x 1,070 m Aarsta tunnel and 1,750 m of access tunnels. Contract SL02 includes the 2 x 800 m Johanneshov tunnel and 1,150 m of access tunnels. They both were constructed by NCC. Contract SL03 includes the 2 x 1,750 m Hammarby tunnel and 3,300 m of access tunnels. The builder was Selmer Skanska. The main tunnels carry two or three lanes while the accesses accommodate single or dual lanes. The big majority has been excavated using the drill/blast method.Contract SL04 includes the 2 x 600 m Sickla (Nobelberget) tunnel. The builder was Vagverket Produktion. Contract SL08 includes the Arla and Bolidenvagen tunnels built by PEAB. Contract SL09 includes the Arenavagen tunnel built by YIT. These three tunnels feature a 64 sq m cross section and total 800 m approximately. Contract SL10 includes the Aabyvagen cut-and-cover and rock tunnel (2 x 400 m), built by Skanska. Contract SL11 includes the Aarsta cut-and-cover tunnel (2 x 300 m) and contract SL23 includes the Nynasvagen cut-and-cover tunnel (2 x 1.2 km). Contracts SL10, SL11 and SL23 have been built by Skanska.The tunnels are equipped with the most modern outfit like sprinklers, gas extractors, 160 rings to call a tow truck, escape exits, automatic fans, etc. The project cost SEK8.1 billion. Visit www.sodralanken.nu to view a video. Click se/13. 45/04.