Safe road connection rebuilt in Natura 2000 protected area

AFRY delivers resilient infrastructure by safeguarding biodiversity

When Jonseredsvägen in the Gothenburg region collapsed in 2019, Partille municipality faced urgent safety and environmental challenges. AFRY was involved from the start to manage the reconstruction, balancing road stability with strict environmental requirements established through the water permit process. The result is a safe connection restored, with biodiversity protected.

The collapse was caused by long-term erosion from the Säveån river, where natural water flows and soil conditions had gradually undermined the slope. The failure left residents and commuters without a secure road connection, while also revealing serious stability problems that made a simple repair impossible. As part of a designated Natura 2000 site, the area requires that sensitive species and habitats are protected at all stages of the process.

Complex conditions shaped the project

Rebuilding the road required more than technical solutions. The Natura 2000 designation meant that all work had to comply with strict permit conditions designed to protect biodiversity. Seasonal restrictions governed when construction could take place, while specific methods were required to safeguard habitats for bats and spawning fish.

This combination of urgent safety concerns and delicate environmental considerations made the project one of the more complex infrastructure undertakings in the region. Close coordination with authorities and transparent dialogue were essential throughout.

Adapting to changing conditions

Changing ground conditions are a growing challenge in infrastructure projects, as erosion, shifting groundwater levels and unstable soils increasingly affect both design and construction. Along the Säveån river, these natural dynamics continued to influence the project and required continuous adaptation.

During the design phase, new stability issues emerged. AFRY coordinated specialists to refine the design under a tight schedule, combining geotechnical, environmental and civil engineering expertise to maintain safety while meeting environmental requirements. Close collaboration with Partille municipality and regional authorities kept the project on track despite evolving conditions.

Shakrin Ahmed, leading the project for AFRY.

This project demonstrates how infrastructure can be rebuilt even under demanding conditions and complex environmental requirements, without compromising on safety or biodiversity. That balance was at the core of our work together with the client.

— Shakrin Ahmed, Project Manager at AFRY.

AFRY’s role throughout the process

From the earliest investigations to the final documentation, AFRY was appointed as a partner to the municipality. Our multidisciplinary teams combined technical and environmental expertise to meet the complex requirements of the project.

Areas of our contribution included:

Investigations and design: Geotechnical and hydrogeological studies defined safe design parameters, while environmental soil analyses and habitat inventories identified sensitive areas requiring protection. AFRY also led the extensive water operations permit process, which resulted in a court-issued water permit setting the framework for how construction could be carried out.
Technical documentation: We prepared road and water system designs, noise assessments, a water monitoring program and tender documents that incorporated all permit conditions.
Project support and reporting: AFRY coordinated specialists, supported the municipality with final reporting to the County Administrative Board, and delivered complete as-built documentation to ensure regulatory compliance and long-term resilience.

The re-opening in September 2025.

A safe road and a sustainable result

After two years of construction, Jonseredsvägen reopened in September 2025. The road is now stable and safe, restoring a vital connection for the local community. At the same time, sensitive habitats along Säveån have been protected, with monitoring confirming that biodiversity remained intact throughout the project.

In this area, biodiversity loss is often linked to habitat and landscape fragmentation — a key reason why preserving ecological connectivity was central to the design. Sustainability guided every stage, from protecting species and minimizing environmental impact to maintaining transparent dialogue with authorities. The result is resilient infrastructure built for the long term, balancing community needs with environmental responsibility.