Last week BESIX pinched the first place in the competition for the Fjord Link Frederikssund Design & Build tender. In joint venture with Italian Rizzani de Eccher and Spanish Acciona Infraestructuras, BESIX outperformed its competitors by submitting the best technical solution for the lowest price. The contract is worth 989,5 million Danish Krone (approximately 133 million euro).
The project consists of the construction of a new 4-lane dual carriageway over a distance of 8.2 km, linking Frederikssund and Skibbyvej. The infrastructural project includes a 1.4 km tolled high bridge over the fjord and 11 smaller civil structures (bridges, fauna passages, cycle lane passages). The new crossing will replace an existing bascule bridge built in 1935 and is supposed to relieve severe traffic congestion on the current bridge.
The client, Vejdirektoratet (The Danish Road Directorate), praised the winning bid as it was the only proposal of a bridge with larger spans, which reduces the number of pillars needed, and a modified length profile. Another important award criterion was the consideration of the surroundings. Indeed, the Fjord of Roskilde is designated as a Natura 2000 area as it is a habitat for sensitive vegetation (eelgrass) and an important refuge for water fowls. The location of residential areas very near to the construction site and difficult access possibilities for marine and land pose additional challenges with regards to logistics, dust, noise and traffic management.
Jean Polet, BESIX General Manager Europe, stated: “The in-house Engineering Department of BESIX makes the difference in Design & Build projects such as this one. It offers integrated expertise which enables us to coordinate the design and the execution in the best way possible, guaranteeing a surplus of added value for the client. The project is special because it solidifies our first steps on Scandinavian soil. This makes us and our partners extremely motivated to successfully deliver the project.”
The design phase of the project will start in November 2016. On-site works are scheduled to start in February 2017 and the project will presumably be finished by late 2019.