Norway is building what will become the world’s longest undersea road tunnel, a massive engineering project stretching roughly 27 km (17 miles) and plunging about 392 m (1,286 ft) below sea level.  Construction is part of the Rogfast project, which promises to transform travel along Norway’s rugged west coast and significantly reduce reliance on ferry crossings.

 

The project, officially known as the Rogaland Fixed Link (Rogfast), has been underway since January 2018 and is slated to open in 2033. The tunnel will connect Randaberg and Bokn across the Boknafjord and include a spur to Kvitsøy island, enhancing road continuity along the European E39 highway.

 

 

Norway already has an extensive network of subsea road tunnels, including the current longest such tunnel, the Ryfylke Tunnel (14.4 km), but Rogfast will surpass all existing subsea road links in both length and depth once finished. Engineers are blasting and drilling through solid bedrock beneath the fjords, a method Norway has refined over decades of tunnel building. 

 

 

Officials say the tunnel will cut travel times significantly between key cities like Stavanger and Bergen, boosting ease of transport for commuters, freight, and tourists alike. Cost estimates place the project in the tens of billions of Norwegian kroner, financed through government funds and future tolls. 

 

Experts highlight both the technical challenge and the economic payoff: eliminating ferry crossings could improve reliability and reduce long-term travel costs for residents and industry along the west coast. Despite delays and cost revisions early in the project, construction has advanced steadily with major contracts awarded and excavation progressing.

 

 

 

Looking ahead, completion in 2033 will mark a milestone in global infrastructure, setting new records for subsea road tunnels and serving as a model for large-scale marine tunneling.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

Norway’s Rogfast tunnel will span ~27 km and drop ~392 m below sea level, making it the longest and deepest undersea road tunnel once complete.

 

The project began in 2018, connects key points on the E39 highway, and is expected to open in 2033.

 

 

Rogfast aims to replace ferry crossings, cut travel times, and improve transport for commuters, freight, and tourism along Norway’s west coast.

 

Adapted From 

 

https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/world-longest-undersea-road-tunnel/

Short video with- as the title says:

 

" some jaw dropping facts"

 

Awesome achievement by Norway!

 

 

 

 

 

Which would be more environmentally-friendly, a $27 billion road or ferries. Note the promo article nowhere includes the price.

8 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Which would be more environmentally-friendly, a $27 billion road or ferries. Note the promo article nowhere includes the price.

 

 

They have money to burn.

 

 

20 hours ago, Will B Good said:

They have money to burn.

And a planet to burn, obviously.

39 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

And a planet to burn, obviously.

 

Don't worry, Uncle Elon will be taking us all to Mars soon....😁