Skanska has signed a contract worth US$39.3 million to build Sweden’s longest wooden bridge.

The contract includes installation of Karlgårdsbron, a 400m timber suspension bridge over the Skellefte River in Skellefteå, north east Sweden. It will be used by pedestrians, cyclists, buses and cars.

Impression of the design for the Karlgårdsbron over the Skellefte River. Credit: Skanska

The structure will have wood trusses and cross beams, with steel hangers. The ten-span deck will be a cross-tensioned wooden slab.

The contract includes superstructure, bridge additions, paving, and lighting. In addition, at each abutment, earthworks will be carried out for new pedestrian and cycle paths, water and sewage systems, grass areas, and lighting.

The current longest wooden bridge in Sweden is a 230m pedestrian bridge in Umeå that dates from 2006.