Norway is working on an ambitious infrastructure project to improve the journey between the cities of Kristiansand and Trondheim, which is part of the E39 route crossing the southwestern coast. It is a long journey that requires 21 hours and seven ferry crossings through fjords. The government plans to cut travel time by half.
Norway's $40B infrastructure project —
Norway is working on an ambitious infrastructure project to improve the journey between the cities of Kristiansand and Trondheim, which is part of the E39 route crossing the southwestern coast. It is a long journey that requires 21 hours and seven ferry crossings through fjords. The government plans to cut travel time by half.
NPRA
As well as with building suspension bridges, floating bridges and rock tunnels -- which are drilled through bedrock under the seabed -- the Norwegian government is working on developing "submerged floating tunnels" to better connect the fjords.
Norway's $40B infrastructure project —
As well as with building suspension bridges, floating bridges and rock tunnels -- which are drilled through bedrock under the seabed -- the Norwegian government is working on developing "submerged floating tunnels" to better connect the fjords.
NPRA
The engineering feat has never been achieved elsewhere, and could provide a solution for fjords that are too wide and deep for existing technologies. A submerged floating tunnel would sit around 40 meters (100 feet) below the surface of the water.
Norway's $40B infrastructure project —
The engineering feat has never been achieved elsewhere, and could provide a solution for fjords that are too wide and deep for existing technologies. A submerged floating tunnel would sit around 40 meters (100 feet) below the surface of the water.
NPRA
There are two ways of building a submerged floating tunnel. It can be tethered to pontoons that float on water.
Norway's $40B infrastructure project —
There are two ways of building a submerged floating tunnel. It can be tethered to pontoons that float on water.
NPRA
Or it can be connected to the seabed via cables.
Norway's $40B infrastructure project —
Or it can be connected to the seabed via cables.
NPRA
The pontoons would need to have enough space between them to allow ships to pass through.
Norway's $40B infrastructure project —
The pontoons would need to have enough space between them to allow ships to pass through.
Aas Jacobsen
While construction has begun on other infrastructure, the submerged floating tunnels are still at the research stage.
Norway's $40B infrastructure project —
While construction has begun on other infrastructure, the submerged floating tunnels are still at the research stage.
NPRA
The government is also working with researchers to test how a submerged floating tunnel would withstand explosions or submarine collisions.
Norway's $40B infrastructure project —
The government is also working with researchers to test how a submerged floating tunnel would withstand explosions or submarine collisions.
NPRA