The Stockholm region has grown considerably throughout the 2000s and all forecasts indicate continued growth. This imposes increasing demands on functioning infrastructure, which is continuously being improved so that Stockholm can function as a city.
There is considerable congestion on the current approaches to Stockholm City Centre and these need to be relieved of some traffic. Essingeleden, which was inaugurated in 1966, was planned for 80 000 vehicles per day. Today, it is used by 160 000 vehicles on ordinary weekdays and the traffic is increasing.
Besides being perceived as a nuisance to individuals, congestion and queuing are costly from a socio-economic standpoint. Congestion in the existing road network and a lack of alternative routes increases vulnerability, particularly in connection with accidents. There have been several examples of accidents along Essingeleden over the past few years, which have incurred large socioeconomic costs.
The Stockholm bypass will provide better communications between the southern and northern parts of the county, which are intended to improve the potential for an integrated labour and housing market. In this way, Stockholm residents can make better use of the competitive advantages offered by a large and unified region. The Stockholm bypass will also meet the Municipality of Ekerö’s long-term transport needs.
The link will provide long-distance traffic with a bypass so that it no longer has to pass through the centre of Stockholm.
Click here for information in Swedish about the project