Norway considers wooden bridge across Lake Mjosa

Norway could be home to the world’s longest wooden bridge if the government gives the go-ahead for a span across Lake Mjosa. In a new report, researchers conclude that it is possible, both technically and economically, to build a 1.7km wooden bridge between the towns Biri and Moelv. Importantly, the report notes that construction cost differences between a wooden and concrete structure would be little. Estimates for a wooden bridge are around €420 million while for a concrete structure would come in about €
May 12, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Norway could be home to the world’s longest wooden bridge if the government gives the go-ahead for a span across Lake Mjosa.


In a new report, researchers conclude that it is possible, both technically and economically, to build a 1.7km wooden bridge between the towns Biri and Moelv. Importantly, the report notes that construction cost differences between a wooden and concrete structure would be little.

Estimates for a wooden bridge are around €420 million while for a concrete structure would come in about €410 million, according to Trond Arne Stensby, project manager at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration - 1208 Statens vegvesen.

The 468m-deep Lake Mjøsa is one of the deepest in Europe and the fourth-deepest lake in Norway. It stretches for 117km and is about 15km at its widest. The lake is 123m above sea level and lies about 100km north of the capital Oslo.

One bridge already crosses the lake, the Mjøsa Bridge that was opened 1985 and is part of the main north-south highway in Norway, the E6. The concrete box girder bridge has spans of around 69m and rests on piles in water up to 40m deep. The bridge has two lanes of traffic and separate pedestrian and cycling lane.

Previous studies have considered a four-lane link on Highway E6 between the cities of Hamar and Lillehammer – site of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Timber construction alternatives include a truss structure with two underlying trusses composite with a concrete bridge deck. Typical span width is 69m and be cable stay supported.

Road Structures

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Norway mulls new routes across the vast Hardangervidda plateau
    November 2, 2015
    Norway is considering proposals for another route across over the vast Hardangervidda, one of Europe’s largest plateaux and most of which is a national park. The Norwegian Road Administration (Statens Vegvesen) said one proposal would incorporate a 6km tunnel at a cost more than €216 million, according to a report the Nationen newspaper.
    Read More
  • Norway’s massive Rogfast Tunnel project
    December 11, 2018
    The world's longest and deepest road tunnel is underway in western Norway - Adrian Greeman reports
    Read More
  • The Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway
    September 19, 2021
    The 8.5km CCLEx, as it is known, will include the longest and tallest bridge in the Philippines when the structure is finished next year
    Read More
  • Norway’s record breaking undersea road tunnel
    February 25, 2015
    The world's deepest road tunnel is currently in construction near Stavanger in Norway but is only the prelude to even larger projects - report and photographs by Adrian Greeman. Norway's convoluted coastline of fjords and high mountains is famously scenic but also a major problem for transport and connections. The country has long experience of constructing tunnels as a result. Now a series of tunnels underway, or in design, around the oil industry city of Stavanger will stretch its skills more than usual.
    Read More

Highlighted Content