STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Dec. 15, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Skanska has been awarded a bridge construction project in West Point, Virginia. The contract is valued at about SEK 600 M (USD 89 M). The contract amount is included in order bookings for the fourth quarter of 2004. The customer is the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).
The assignment is for a new bascule bridge spanning the Pamunkey River in West Point, Virginia. The new bridge replaces a 50-year-old bridge on the Route 33 highway. The existing bridge is only two lanes, while the new bridge will be four lanes plus a separate outside shoulder for bicycle traffic.
The bridge will be 1.7 kilometers (5,600 feet) in length. The vertical clearance to the marine channel will be increased from 10 to 17 meters (35 to 55 feet) to facilitate tugboat and barge traffic on the river. This will require that new land connections must be constructed to accommodate the higher elevation.
The old bridge has been a bottleneck on the heavily trafficked Route 33, due to being too narrow and as a result of the problems associated with frequent openings. The project is one of two within the VDOT's West Point Bridge Replacement program.
Work begins immediately and the bridge is scheduled to be completed in November 2007.
The project is carried out by Skanska USA Civil's unit Tidewater Skanska. Skanska USA Civil's operations focus on transportation infrastructure, and facilities for power generation, water and wastewater treatment in the eastern US, Colorado and California. The company has 5,000 employees. Skanska USA Civil's sales amounted to SEK 15 billion in 2003.
For further information please contact:
Edward H. Keeter, Vice President Administration, Tidewater Skanska, tel +1 757 749 5708 Anna Wenner, Press Officer, Skanska AB, tel +46 8 753 88 39
This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com
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