Språngtunnlar

Språngtunnel was a series of railway tunnels constructed in Sweden in the 1970s and 1980s. The tunnels were located on the railway line between Stockholm and Gothenburg. The primary purpose of Språngtunnel was to bypass the busy railway station of Strömstad, enabling uninterrupted high-speed traffic.

The construction of Språngtunnel involved the creation of three separate single-track tunnels, stretching for approximately 4 kilometers. Each tunnel was built using conventional drilling and blasting techniques. Språngtunnel facilitated a significant reduction in travel time between Stockholm and Gothenburg, with speeds of up to 210 kilometers per hour achievable.

In 2001, Språngtunnel was closed for upgrade and renovation. Several improvements were made to enhance the safety and efficiency of the tunnel. The tunnel was reactivated in 2002, after completion of these works. Existing construction was upgraded to meet modern standards.

Språngtunnel operated for nearly two decades. Its lifespan came to an end when the Swedish rail network was modified, as part of the modernization of the high-speed rail line. Due to a redundancy of passage options, reliability, and efficiency, the line reopened with the two single-track tunnels joining a single double-track rail-line.

As of 2020, remnants of the Språngtunnel remain, although any active passenger rail usage has ceased. This closure lengthens the integration of continued efforts of the two-track rail lines poured throughout the railway formed of elevated track bore for tube excavation.