Essingeleden facts for kids
Essingeleden is a very important road in central Sweden. It's like a big, fast highway that helps people travel quickly through Stockholm, the capital city. This road connects different parts of the city and helps reduce traffic jams. It crosses several islands, including Kungsholmen, Lilla Essingen, and Stora Essingen. Essingeleden was officially opened on 21 August 1966.
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What is Essingeleden?
Essingeleden is a special kind of road called a motorway or a controlled-access highway. This means it's designed for fast travel with no traffic lights or intersections where cars have to stop. Instead, cars get on and off using special ramps. This design helps traffic flow smoothly and safely. It's a key part of Stockholm's road network.
Where is Essingeleden located?
This major road runs right through the heart of Stockholm. It starts in Solna in the north and stretches south into Stockholm. Along its path, it crosses over water and islands. The islands it connects are Kungsholmen, Lilla Essingen, and Stora Essingen. Because it crosses water, Essingeleden includes several bridges and tunnels.
Bridges and Tunnels on Essingeleden
To cross the water and land, Essingeleden uses some impressive structures. It goes over the Fredhällsbron (Fredhäll Bridge) and through the Fredhällstunneln (Fredhäll Tunnel). These parts of the road were big engineering projects when they were built. They allow thousands of cars to pass through the city every day.
When was Essingeleden built?
The construction of Essingeleden was a huge project that took many years. It was finally opened to traffic on August 21, 1966. This was a big event for Stockholm, as the new road greatly improved travel times and helped manage the growing number of cars in the city.
Why was it built?
Before Essingeleden, traffic in Stockholm often got very congested. The city needed a way for cars to move efficiently without going through busy city streets. Essingeleden was built to solve this problem. It acts as a bypass, allowing drivers to get from one side of the city to another much faster. It helps people get to work, school, and other places more easily.
Essingeleden's importance today
Even today, Essingeleden remains one of the busiest roads in Sweden. It's a vital link for daily commuters and for transporting goods. It helps keep Stockholm moving and connects different parts of the region. It shows how important good infrastructure is for a modern city.
Images for kids
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Aerial view of Essingeleden looking south in 2014.
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The opening ceremony of Essingeleden in 1966.
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Essingeleden looking south near Nyboda.
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The Fredhäll bridge in 1964, during its construction.
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Inside the Fredhäll tunnel in 1965, before it opened.
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The Fredhäll tunnel in 1966, shortly after opening. Notice that only one side of the road is being used.
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Essingeleden on Dagen H, September 3, 1967, when Sweden switched to driving on the right side of the road.
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Construction work happening at Kungsholmen in 1968.
