From a stretch of the road to a highway for regional development

Every day 15,000 cars traffic the seven kilometer long stretch of road between Kvål and Melhus south of Trondheim. By the summer of 2022 this stage will have a new four lane highway after two years in the making. This road is important for the region and is also a good example of how reuse, waste management and carbon emission reduction can characterize building a road.

Parts of the road were opened for traffic at the end of 2021. In addition to the four car lanes Peab built six new bridges, on and off ramps, an ecoduct and commuter parking in this stage. Not only is the seven kilometer section of road more efficient and safe for its users, climate and environmental consideration has permeated its construction – in large part due to planning at an early stage. The customer, Nye Veier, has together with Peab carried out the project for the first time in the form of an Integrated Project Delivery contract. This has entailed close collaboration in the early blueprint stage, which led to significant environmental and climate advantages.

Reuse of both the old stretch of road and excavated soil has reduced waste, transportation and extraction of virgin material. The project has also consciously worked to conserve biodiversity in the area surrounding the highway.

As far as waste is concerned, more than 90 percent of it was sorted. The highest volumes of waste in Norway come from the construction and civil engineering industry, and excavated soil dominates these volumes, which is why lowering waste amounts is imperative for the entire sector.

“Clearly defined joint goals and an open and ongoing dialogue about choices that reduce our impact on the climate and surrounding environment have been key to our successful collaboration. Now we want to take what we’ve learned from this project with Peab and use it in our other projects nationwide,” says Nye Veier’s Managing Director, Anette Aanesland.