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Swedish Transport Administration Uses Dead Trees to Protect Woodpeckers in Road Construction

EnvironmentEnvironment
Key Points
  • Trafikverket is using dead and decaying trees to create habitats for birds during construction of the new Onsalavägen road.
  • The project has faced 70 years of delays due to environmental concerns about disturbing the lesser spotted woodpecker.
  • The agency describes the method as a way to 'quickly create biological values' while meeting strict environmental requirements.

The Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) is employing an unconventional environmental method involving dead and decaying trees to protect bird habitats during construction of the new Onsalavägen road. According to SVT Halland, the agency is using rotten, fungus-infested, and dead trees to create biological values for birds in the area.

Christoffer Engkvist, environmental construction manager at Trafikverket, stated: "This is a way to quickly create biological values." The construction of Onsalavägen has reportedly been delayed for 70 years due to discussions and multiple appeals, primarily because the project risks disturbing the lesser spotted woodpecker, which has several territories along the planned route.

This is a way to quickly create biological values.

Christoffer Engkvist, environmental construction manager at Trafikverket

To meet strict environmental requirements, Trafikverket is reportedly using a new method for Sweden that aims to help birds continue to thrive in the area despite the construction. The innovative approach represents an attempt to balance infrastructure development with wildlife conservation in sensitive habitats.

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