Skip to main content

Norway’s long tunnel looks set to beat records

Norway looks set to retain its position as a leader in tunnelling with the project moving forward to build a new link connecting the city of Stavanger with Bokn. This 27km road tunnel is being designed to carry four lanes of traffic, which would make it the world’s longest underwater road tunnel. It will also be the world’s longest four lane tunnel as well as the world’s deepest road tunnel, dropping around 385-390m below sea level. The Rogaland Fixed Link will form part of the E39 route, connecting Kristia
September 19, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Norway looks set to retain its position as a leader in tunnelling with the project moving forward to build a new link connecting the city of Stavanger with Bokn. This 27km road tunnel is being designed to carry four lanes of traffic, which would make it the world’s longest underwater road tunnel. It will also be the world’s longest four lane tunnel as well as the world’s deepest road tunnel, dropping around 385-390m below sea level. The Rogaland Fixed Link will form part of the E39 route, connecting Kristiansand, Stavanger, Haugesund and Bergen in the south of Norway.

Also known as the Rogfast, the tunnel runs from Harestad in Randaberg to Arsvågen in Bokn. In addition to the main tunnel there will additional 4km link to the island of Kvitsøy. Once the tunnel is open, it will shorten the journey time between Stavanger and Norway’s second city, Bergen.

The project forms part of a plan by the Norwegian Government to improve road links in the country and to construct bridges and tunnels so that drivers no longer have to use ferries or take long detours. The project is being planned by Norconsult and the tunnel is expected to cost in the region of €1.5-€1.6 billion to build, with tolls paying back a chunk of the construction costs. The link is expected to open to traffic in 2025 or 2026.

Related Content

  • Korean bridge construction poses challenges
    April 5, 2012
    On South Korea's southern coast, an innovative highway sea crossing is providing many engineering challenges The new Busan-Geoje crosses from South Korea's second city to its biggest island and is slightly shorter than the 12km of the country's famous Incheon project. In addition the main cable stay bridge for the Busan-Geoje project has a 475m span rather than the 800m of the Incheon central span. However the 8.2km Busan-Geoje project faces perhaps greater technical challenges and also includes a second b
  • Two major Indian highway links under construction
    July 21, 2022
    Two major Indian highway links are under construction.
  • Temporary bridge set for Tretten in Norway
    November 9, 2022
    The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has been installing temporary bridges after it closed 14 timber structures following the collapse of the Tretten Bridge.
  • Making the U-turn
    August 2, 2012
    Political hostility to a toll road project in Australia has been turned around by the quality and amenity of the project writes Adrian Greeman Cars, trucks and vans were taking to the new EastLink toll road in Melbourne with enthusiasm this July, pleased to try out its 39km route for time and cost savings. As well as the convenience of the uncongested route, drivers were also able to view an extraordinary multi-shaded perspective of transparent green and orange noise wall panels, burnt earth-coloured retai