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

  • England’s new Sunderland Bridge renamed Northern Spire
    December 12, 2017
    The new Sunderland Bridge - on track to open in the spring - was officially named Northern Spire during a recent event on the bridge. The official naming followed a week-long public vote in which 10,000 people chose their favourite name from an official list of three names. Northern Spire received almost half of the votes, according to bridge officials. The other names were Lumen Point (34% of votes) and The Prism which received 17%. The two-span cable-stayed bridge across the River Wear in northeast
    Read More
  • Norway’s fire-damaged Skatestraum tunnel to remain closed until 2016
    August 20, 2015
    Repair costs for the fire-ravaged undersea Skatestraum tunnel in Bremanger have risen to nearly US$4.7 million, according to Norwegian media reports. Repairs will run into next year when the tunnel, on Norway’s southern North Sea coast, will re-open, although no date was given, the Norwegian media outlet E24 said. The tunnel, nearly 2km long, was opened only in 2002 at a cost of nearly $39 million. No one was injured in the accident when the tunnel was severely damaged by fire on July 15. A tanker
    Read More
  • Mumbai’s new coastal transport link
    July 6, 2022
    Mumbai’s new coastal road presents an ambitious and challenging project that will help improve the lives of the city’s inhabitants - Mike Woof writes
    Read More
  • $6.2 billion Newark Bay Bridge replacement
    July 9, 2025
    The $6.2 billion Newark Bay Bridge replacement project is moving ahead.
    Read More

Highlighted Content