Waterway

This ferry, Kalmarsund VIII, was the last in a long line of ferries  transporting people, cars and goods between Kalmar on the mainland and Öland, where I currently have my home. The bridge was opened on the 30 of september in 1972, the same day the ferry crossed Kalmar sound for the last time in commercial trade. It took 25-30 cars and 640 passengers. 

When the ferry Kalmarsund IV was put in traffic in 1948 the mayor is said to have stated: "with this ferry all plans of a bridge between Kalmar and Öland can be sunk into Kalmar sound". The ferry took 400 passengers and 40 cars. The crossing took 45 minutes. 

Today the bridge carries on average 18600 cars every day and is 6 km long.