Norway is building Rogfast, a 27-kilometer (17-mile) tunnel designed to connect major cities along its western coast and replace ferry routes. The tunnel’s deepest point will reach 392 meters (1,286 feet) below sea level, making it the deepest undersea road tunnel globally.
Construction began in 2018 but faced delays due to budget concerns, pausing work until 2021. The tunnel is now expected to open in 2033, at an estimated cost of 25 billion Norwegian kroner ($2.4 billion). Rogfast will reduce travel time between Bergen and Stavanger by around 40 minutes, improve daily commuting, and strengthen connectivity along the E39 coastal highway.
The tunnel will have two separate tubes, each with two lanes, and a unique double roundabout halfway down connecting to Kvitsøy Island. Advanced laser scanning ensures construction precision within 5 centimeters, creating a “digital twin” for quality checks. Ventilation, monitoring systems, and safety measures will maintain air quality and traffic management throughout its length.
While ferry jobs may decline, the tunnel will enhance regional economic development, ease logistics for local industries, and create substantial construction employment. Rogfast will be an essential step toward a fully ferry-free western Norwegian coastline.
Source: CNN