Skip to main content

Norway's tunnel improvements

Tougher legislation on tunnel safety means that Norway will have to invest heavily in upgrading underground road links.
March 2, 2012 Read time: 1 min
Tougher legislation on tunnel safety means that Norway will have to invest heavily in upgrading underground road links. Many of the country's existing road tunnels were built in the 1980s and 1990s and no longer meet the latest European requirements on road tunnels, introduced after two disasters that caused major fatalities in Switzerland and Austria. A new study suggests that the country's road tunnels may require up to €890 million to meet the current requirements. The Norwegian road authority's western division says that it will need to spend some €496 million at the end of 2011, a substantial increase from the €147 million spent in 2006. Norway has 1,050 tunnels in its total road network and the cost of the upgrades required will be revealed shortly in a detailed report being produced by the road authority, 1208 Statens Vegvesen. Although Norway and Switzerland are not in the EC, the countries do agree on certain legislation such as road safety with 3287 EU member nations.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Norway's bridge meets tough environmental targets
    February 27, 2012
    One of the world's longest bridges is being built in Norway – for traffic volumes of just 2,000 cars/day reports Adrian Greeman. The stunning landscape of the long sea fjords in Norway is one of its glories, attracting thousands of tourists every summer. But the high mountains and deep sea inlets are also one of the great obstacles to transport and development.
  • Norway's bridge meets tough environmental targets
    May 2, 2012
    One of the world's longest bridges is being built in Norway – for traffic volumes of just 2,000 cars/day reports Adrian Greeman. The stunning landscape of the long sea fjords in Norway is one of its glories, attracting thousands of tourists every summer. But the high mountains and deep sea inlets are also one of the great obstacles to transport and development.
  • Searching questions on emissions legislation
    February 27, 2012
    Searching questions are being asked within the construction industry of the need for the Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB emissions legislation now coming into force. A senior figure within the European construction equipment sector with an executive role at a major manufacturer said, "Who are we doing this for?" He said that there is a need to reduce engine emissions so as to minimise pollution.
  • Vietnam and Laos addressing road safety
    February 29, 2012
    Accident statistics from Laos and Vietnam reveal a growing awareness of the problems needing attention.