Langfjord Tunnel
Encyclopedia
The Langfjord Tunnel is a proposed subsea road tunnel which would cross Langfjorden between Molde
and Rauma
in Norway
. It may also be built with a branch to the island of Sekken
. As part of County Road 64
, the tunnel would replace the Åfarnes–Sølsnes Ferry, and allow Romsdal
ferry-free access to Eastern Norway, as well as connect Molde and Rauma. If the branch is built, it would replace the Molde–Sekken Ferry, giving the island a fixed link. The main tunnel would be between 10 kilometre long, which the branch would be slightly shorter than 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) long. The tunnel would reach 330 metres (1,082.7 ft) below mean sea level, making it the deepest subsea tunnel in the world. It would also be the longest subsea tunnel in Norway.
, without receiving other state grants than the subsidies which would otherwise have been given to the ferry. However, new requirements changed increased the costs from 910 to 1,370 million Norwegian krone
. The requirements included a less steep grading, which would result in a longer tunnel, and three instead of two lanes, to the uphill direction would have a passing lane
. Møre og Romsdal County Municipality has prioritized the Langfjord Tunnel third, after the Nordøy Fixed Link and the Trollheim Tunnel
. Should the Langfjord Tunnel need public grants, with todays funding level money would not be allocated until the late 2020s. In November 2010, figures from the newly opened Eiksund Tunnel
and Atlantic Ocean Tunnel
showed an increase of 110% in traffic, compared to the 20% estimate for the Langfjord Tunnel. The new tunnels had an estimated increase of 30% and 60%, respectively. This will result in more tolls, which can handle the increased traffic. However, the county municipality would have to guarantee for this number; should the increased traffic fall short, the county municipality would have to pay the deficit. A public guarantee would also decrease the average interest rate from 6.5% to 5.0%. Should the tunnel not be built, a second ferry will have to be used, which will increase the need for subsidies for the ferry route. This will increase the income for the toll road, as they receive the money which would otherwise be used for the ferry. Should the changes be approved, sufficient funding would be secured for financing the project.
Molde
is a city and municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It is part of the Romsdal region. The municipality is located on the Romsdal Peninsula, surrounding the Fannefjord and Moldefjord...
and Rauma
Rauma, Norway
Rauma is a municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It is part of the Romsdal region. The administrative centre is the village of Åndalsnes. Other villages include Vågstranda, Voll, Innfjorden, Veblungsnes, Verma, Isfjorden, Eidsbygda, Rødven, Åfarnes, and Mittet...
in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. It may also be built with a branch to the island of Sekken
Sekken
Sekken is an island in the Romsdalsfjord, at the mouth of the Langfjorden, in the municipality of Molde in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. The island lies about south of the island of Bolsøya and about west of the island of Veøya. There are no road connections to the island except for a ferry...
. As part of County Road 64
Norwegian County Road 64
County Road 64 is a two-lane highway which runs between Kristiansund and Åndalsnes in Møre og Romsdal, Norway. It branches from National Road 70 in Kristiansund, runs through the Atlantic Ocean Tunnel, through the island of Averøy, and across the Atlantic Ocean Road to Eide...
, the tunnel would replace the Åfarnes–Sølsnes Ferry, and allow Romsdal
Romsdal
Romsdal is the name of a traditional district in the Norwegian county Møre og Romsdal, located between Nordmøre and Sunnmøre. The district of Romsdal comprises Aukra, Fræna, Midsund, Molde, Nesset, Rauma, Sandøy, and Vestnes. It is named for the valley of Romsdalen, which covers part of Rauma.The...
ferry-free access to Eastern Norway, as well as connect Molde and Rauma. If the branch is built, it would replace the Molde–Sekken Ferry, giving the island a fixed link. The main tunnel would be between 10 kilometre long, which the branch would be slightly shorter than 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) long. The tunnel would reach 330 metres (1,082.7 ft) below mean sea level, making it the deepest subsea tunnel in the world. It would also be the longest subsea tunnel in Norway.
History
The project was originally planned to be self-financed as a toll roadToll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
, without receiving other state grants than the subsidies which would otherwise have been given to the ferry. However, new requirements changed increased the costs from 910 to 1,370 million Norwegian krone
Norwegian krone
The krone is the currency of Norway and its dependent territories. The plural form is kroner . It is subdivided into 100 øre. The ISO 4217 code is NOK, although the common local abbreviation is kr. The name translates into English as "crown"...
. The requirements included a less steep grading, which would result in a longer tunnel, and three instead of two lanes, to the uphill direction would have a passing lane
Passing lane
A passing lane or overtaking lane is the lane on a multi-lane highway or motorway closest to the center of the road ....
. Møre og Romsdal County Municipality has prioritized the Langfjord Tunnel third, after the Nordøy Fixed Link and the Trollheim Tunnel
Trollheim Tunnel
The Trollheim Tunnel is a proposed road tunnel which would run from Ålvundeid to Todal, connecting Sunndal and Surnadal. The tunnel would be built as a toll road, and make it possible to close the Kvanne–Rykkjem Ferry. As of 2009, the estimated cost of the project was 925 million Norwegian krone,...
. Should the Langfjord Tunnel need public grants, with todays funding level money would not be allocated until the late 2020s. In November 2010, figures from the newly opened Eiksund Tunnel
Eiksund Tunnel
The Eiksund tunnel is an undersea tunnel between the municipalities of Ørsta and Ulstein in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. The Eiksund Bridge joins Hareidlandet island and the village of Eiksund with the nearby island Eika. The Eiksund Tunnel begins at the south end of the bridge and connects...
and Atlantic Ocean Tunnel
Atlantic Ocean Tunnel
The Atlantic Ocean Tunnel is an undersea tunnel that connects the city of Kristiansund with the island of Averøya to the west in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. The long tunnel reaches a depth of , making it one of the deepest undersea tunnels in the world. Construction began in 2006 and the...
showed an increase of 110% in traffic, compared to the 20% estimate for the Langfjord Tunnel. The new tunnels had an estimated increase of 30% and 60%, respectively. This will result in more tolls, which can handle the increased traffic. However, the county municipality would have to guarantee for this number; should the increased traffic fall short, the county municipality would have to pay the deficit. A public guarantee would also decrease the average interest rate from 6.5% to 5.0%. Should the tunnel not be built, a second ferry will have to be used, which will increase the need for subsidies for the ferry route. This will increase the income for the toll road, as they receive the money which would otherwise be used for the ferry. Should the changes be approved, sufficient funding would be secured for financing the project.