Monday, April 6, 2026

2019 Ryfylke Tunnel in Norway is World's Longest and Deepest Undersea Road Tunnel

(Satellite)

nynas
"2013 saw the start of a major construction project – the Ryfylke tunnel, which opened to traffic just in time for the start of the new decade. This is the longest and deepest underground road tunnel in the world – 292 m [958'] below sea level – and it forms part of what is known as the Ryfast project."
"The Ryfylke tunnel is 14.3 km long and connects the two municipalities of Strand and Stavanger in southern Norway. Traffic runs in two separate tunnels, one in each direction, with a maximum gradient of 7 %. 1.2 million m3of rock was excavated during the course of the work."

CamperVanNorway
The tunnel was completed in 2019. The rock was bored with drills, explosives and conveyor belts instead of  Tunnel Boring Machines.

It cuts travel time by 40 minutes. [Facebook Reel] I guess that compares to the time needed for a ferry ride.

The tunnel is part of the Ryfast project along European route E39. [grokipedia]
13:40 video @ 2:46 via Dennis DeBruler
This tunnel is part of the E39 modernization project. The seven yellow dots are the ferry crossings that will be replaced with bridges and/or tunnels. Construction of this tunnel started in 2018. The entire project won't be completed until 205 and will cost at least $40b. 

The Ryfylke Tunnel is expected to hold the world's record for less than a decade because the Rogfast Tunnel, another E39 project, is expected to be completed in 2033. "It will be 27 kilometers long, and its two tubes, each 10.5 meters wide, will be laid at a depth of 392 meters below sea level, setting a new world record and new benchmarks in road engineering." [SarajevoTimies]


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