Stockholm considering building "green bridges" to preserve urban wildlife

The Swedish capital is planning to build a series of "green bridges" in the city in an effort to protect and extend the city's wildlife, Swedish Television reported Monday.

The Environment Administration and the Public Transport Administration plans to build five so-called "eco-ducts," or landscape bridges, that connect parks and wildlife areas that are separated by highways or other thoroughfares,

"An eco-duct is a large, stable and plant-enshrouded bridge that helps both animals and plants to spread. You could call it an extension of the forest," said Stockholm's vice mayor of environment Katarina Luhr.

One of the five eco-ducts will bridge a railway track that runs through the Alvsjoskogen forest in southern Stockholm.

Luhr, who is a member of the Green Party, said the aim is to create wider ecological diversity on both sides of the railway track as well as a larger forest that members of the public can access.

Currently, there are two landscape bridges in Stockholm. However, it is still unclear when the five new ones will become reality. A study is being conducted to investigate costs and other practical matters, according to Luhr. Endit