Norway’s fire-damaged Skatestraum tunnel to remain closed until 2016

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
August 20, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
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 truck carrying 16,000 litres of gasoline crashed and its leaking fuel caught ignited.

The driver reportedly managed to stop and turn around vehicles entering the tunnel. He later said that he experienced a brake failure in the deepest part of the tunnel, at 91m below sea level.

The Skatestraum Tunnel runs between the islands of Rugsundøya and Bremangerlandet in Bremanger Municipality.
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