Oslofjord Tunnel closed for repairs for up to three weeks

The 7km subsea Oslofjord Tunnel in Norway will be closed for up to three weeks after a truck caught fire in the tunnel on May 5. Norwegian media report that a 500m stretch was damaged - tunnel vault, cables, insulation and road surface. The tunnel is equipped with 25 evacuation rooms that can be sealed off from the main tunnel. Each room can provide pressurised space for up to 50 people while a fire is being fought. However, the latest incident has spurred the government to announce that a second tube will
May 12, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
The 7km subsea Oslofjord Tunnel in Norway will be closed for up to three weeks after a truck caught fire in the tunnel on May 5.


Norwegian media report that a 500m stretch was damaged - tunnel vault, cables, insulation and road surface.

The tunnel is equipped with 25 evacuation rooms that can be sealed off from the main tunnel. Each room can provide pressurised space for up to 50 people while a fire is being fought. However, the latest incident has spurred the government to announce that a second tube will be built to hopefully reduce closures and improve safety.

The National Transport Plan has allocated around €476 million for a new tunnel course, media reported.

The tunnel, opened in 2000 after three years of construction, runs from Hurum to Frogn along Norway’s south coast. It dips 134m below sea level with a maximum gradient of 7% and carries three lanes of National Road 23.

The tunnel was flooded and affected by a landslide in 2003 and flooded again in 2008, resulting in closures or part closures of several weeks at a time. Before the latest vehicle fire, there was one in 2006 and one in 2011.

The latest fire prompted to the former head engineer of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration to publically voice concern about safety in the tunnel system, including any proposed new courses. Ove Solheim, a retired civil engineer, told the Oslo-based Aftenposten, Norway’s largest newspaper, that there needed to be three tunnel courses to ensure absolute safety.

He also called for an emergency lane within the tunnel system and an extra lane for slow-moving vehicles. He pointed out that there were 200 temporary closures last year.

Solheim also said that a two-lane bridge was a viable option, but it might cost as much as two new tunnels.

Road Structures

Related Content

  • Switzerland’s new tunnel bore being built
    April 19, 2018
    A major new road tunnel project is being constructed in Switzerland – Mike Woof writes Construction work is now underway in Switzerland for the new Belchen Tunnel bore, a project that has resulted from the country’s long-term infrastructure planning. The building of this latest tunnel is important for Switzerland economically as it will deliver an upgraded link for a major transport infrastructure connection. When it is complete, the tunnel will form part of the vital A2 route between Basel, in the north
    Read More
  • Ireland and Scotland link?
    March 1, 2018
    Politicians in Northern Ireland have again raised the prospect of bridge to link western Scotland the Irish island, according to media reports. The road and rail crossing as envisaged by the Democratic Union Party would cost close to €23 billion. It would run between the Irish town of Larne in County Antrim and the Dumfries and Galloway coastline in Scotland. The DUP said in its manifesto for the 2015 UK general election that there should be a feasibility study into building a bridge or tunnel.
    Read More
  • Norway transport budget boost
    October 21, 2022
    Norway is seeing a transport budget boost for 2023.
    Read More
  • Turkey’s important new tunnel will improve transport links
    May 18, 2016
    Major advances in tunnelling will allow cars to travel underneath the Bosphorus sea channel in Turkey's Istanbul next year when its third road link is opened, writes Adrian Greeman. The Bosphorus is redolent with history and strategic significance. As one of the world's most significant sea connections, linking the landlocked Black Sea to the Marmara Sea and the Mediterranean beyond, it has been vitally important for trade and crucial for military access. It is also one of the biggest obstacles for land tra
    Read More

Highlighted Content