Andri Gunnarsson, specialist at EFLA, was among the speakers at the NVF Bridges Seminar 2025, held in Turku, Finland, earlier this month. The event brought together bridge experts from across the Nordic countries to share knowledge and discuss sustainability in bridge design and operation. Andri delivered two presentations at the seminar, one individually and another in collaboration with Guðmundur Valur Guðmundsson from The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration.
Reusing Bridge Components
In his first presentation, Andri addressed the challenges of reusing older bridge components in new structures. He provided examples of projects where reused material was implemented for steel beams, foundations, and other load-bearing components from existing bridges, used in new construction or in conjunction with the maintenance of old bridges.
Reusing components can reduce the environmental impact and carbon footprint of new infrastructure, but it also presents challenges. These include meeting technical requirements for the reused materials, increased costs associated with reuse, uncertainty regarding project costs, questions about capacity and quality, and potentially shorter lifespan of reused materials.
Photo | Risto Kiviuoma.
Carbon Calculator for Infrastructure
Andri’s second presentation focused on a new Icelandic carbon calculator for infrastructure, named LOKI, developed by EFLA in collaboration with the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration. Andri and Guðmundur Valur explained how the calculator was designed, implemented, and applied in practice. The official launch of the calculator was in July 2024. EFLA and the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration designed LOKI based on similar tools developed and used in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. It enables stakeholders to assess the carbon footprint of design and construction at all stages of infrastructure projects. The aim is to support more informed environmental decision-making and make sustainability a key factor in infrastructure development.
Photo | Southinanh Oudomphanh.
Expertise in Environmental Impact and sustainability
EFLA’s specialists have extensive expertise in sustainable bridge design and climate accounting. Andri’s presentations made a direct contribution to the essential international discussion on reducing the environmental impact of infrastructure projects and maximizing the use of existing materials and structures.