Major update on world’s longest undersea tunnel costing £1.8bn and stretching 27km | World | News
The tunnel will be the longest undersea tunnel in the world (Image: Norwegian Public Roads Administration)
There has been a major update in an incredible project to construct the world’s longest and deepest underwater sea tunnel.
The Rogfast tunnel, in Norway, will be deepest underwater tunnel on the planet when it is built an incredible 400m beneath the sea level. The tunnel is due to open in 2033.
The construction, which is an impressive 27km (approximately 17 miles) long, will connect the villages of Randaberg and Bokn, dramatically decreasing traffic times.
Work on the ambitious project originally kicked off in January 2018 but was put on hold the following year due to escalating costs. Construction resumed in 2021 after plans were revised, and now a major update has been announced which will provide a major boost to the plans.
The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) has signed off on a NOK 4 billion loan (around £307m) to finance the project with Norwegian toll company Ferde AS acting as a middle man.
“Reliable infrastructure is essential for regional development and efficient transport links. Rogfast will improve connectivity in wester Norway and support the long-term integration of labour and transport markets,” said Carlos Rodriguez, senior bank at NIB.
The project has received a funding boost (Image: SKANSA)
The epic tunnel is part of a wider redevelopment of the E39 road, a coastal route between Trondheim and Kristiansand in Norway. Currently, travelling between these two points takes 21 hours and multiple ferry crossings.
The long-term aim is to replace all seven ferry crossings with tunnels and bridges, which would slash the 21-hour journey down to 11 hours. Authorities aim to complete the total project by 2050.
This initial tunnel will cut 40 minutes off the journey between Stavanger and Bergen while improving transport reliability.
The total cost is expected to be NOK 25 billion (around £1.8billion) and will see around 4,000 vehicles passing through daily.
The Rogfast Tunnel, also known as the Boknafjord Tunnel, will even boast a double roundabout deep under the sea, linking up with the island of Kvitsøy and people will be going deeper underground than the height of the Empire State Building.
It is hoped the tunnel will be complete by 2033 (Image: Volvo Construction Equipment/Youtube)
Construction firm Skanska, which is handling the northern section of the tunnel, spoke about the difficulties with drilling so deep into the ocean.
Project manager Anne Brit Moen told Engineers Ireland: “Since we are going all the way down to 392m below sea level, we’re focusing on finding the best methods to maintain safe and efficient working conditions for everyone. The tunnel will significantly improve connectivity along the Norwegian west coast.”
And Norwegian Public Roads Administration project manager Oddvar Kaarmo added: “About half a year after the last drill and blast, we have to deliver the project, so we have to get a lot of work done simultaneously. It’s more about logistics than tunnelling,” reports the Daily Telegraph.
An art installation will feature inside the tunnel to “prevent monotony” and “alleviate tunnel anxiety” with construction bosses hoping this will cut down on accidents.
