Skanska’s British subsidiary, Skanska Construction, has been awarded a contract valued at SEK 1.4 billion, GBP 105 million, for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link - the high-speed rail connection linking London with the Channel Tunnel.

The customer is Union Railways.

Skanska Construction is responsible for design, construction and foundation work of a kilometer-long underground structure in Stratford in east London. The contract includes the construction of two new railway bridges, each one-kilometer long, as well as a ramp and viaduct. The bridges cross the length of the concrete box structure, which measures 50 meters across and will be excavated to depths of 25 meters. The structure, designated the Stratford Box, will house the Stratford International Station that is due to be linked with two rail tunnels scheduled to be built under a separate contract.

Work will begin immediately and is scheduled to be completed during the second half of 2005.

Skanska Construction has previously proved its merit on the first section of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. This involved constructing 17 kms of rail track with cut and cover tunnels and viaducts through the center of Ashford, Kent, in a project valued at GBP 140 M. The company also has a good track record in this type of construction having completed a similar propped-piled large box construction on the A12-M11 Link Road in east London. In addition, Skanska also has the in-house design and deep excavation expertise needed to support such a contract.

The Zurich-based reinsurance company Swiss Re recently awarded Skanska Construction the contract to build its new offices in London. This project is valued at GBP 130 M, corresponding to SEK 1.8 billion.