The bridge is built of reinforced concrete in 155 spans, including the high bridge section in 6 spans of 130 metres (430'), and has a characteristic hump at its western end which was created to provide a vertical clearance of 36 metres (120') for shipping.Parliamentary politician Fritz Börjesson was a strong driving force for a fixed link between Kalmar and Öland.The first sod was turned on the Småland side by then Minister of Communications Svante Lundkvist (S) on 30 December 1967.Among the speakers at the ceremony, which took place on the island side of the bridge, was the Crown Prince Carl Gustaf.The main objection was that the bridge would threaten the environment, possibly causing a huge influx of tourists to Öland and its vulnerable and precious nature.