Underwater Floating Tunnels

£19 billion underwater floating tunnels could dramatically change the way Norway’s coastline explored.

17:08 28 July 2016

Norway will be the first in the world to build underwater floating tunnels to connect two masses of land over a body of water in a bid to ease the congestion between several towns along the country’s coastline. The project, according to the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA), will see large concrete tunnels submerged 100 feet below water and suspended by pontoon-like support structures. 

Based on the proposal, the tunnel will have two lanes of traffic; one for travel and one for emergencies and repair work. 

 

The tunnels will be installed using several fjords by 2035 and the first part of the project aims to connect the villages of Oppedal and Lavik. Two 4,000ft long concrete tubes will be braced to each other using trusses and then bolted to the bedrock below for stability.

 

Currently, the country’s fjords and difficult terrain make the 680-mile trip from Kristiansand to Trondheim last for 21 hours due to the seven ferry trips required along the way. The tunnel project is expected to cut the journey time in half but will cost $25 billion.