A female construction worker wearing a safety helmet is looking at her co-workers during a tunnel construction project.Norway’s record-breaking mega-tunnel set to slash journey times from 11 hours to just 30 minutes!Credit: Shutterstock, johan kusuma
A staggering €1.9 billion megatunnel is set to change the face of travel in Norway, cutting an 11-hour journey down to just 30 minutes.
The Rogfast tunnel, now under construction, will become the world’s longest and deepest underwater road tunnel, connecting the districts of Randaberg and Bokn.
Goodbye ferries, hello fast lane for Norway travellers
The tunnel is part of an ambitious €42 billion project to modernise Norway’s coastal highway E39, which stretches 1,090 kilometres from Trondheim in the north to Kristiansand in the south. Right now, the route is a ferry-dependent nightmare, with seven breaks in the road forcing drivers to cross fiords by boat. The Rogfast tunnel alone will wipe out one of the longest and most disruptive ferry crossings, saving commuters and truckers precious hours.
“This is more than just a tunnel – it’s a revolution in Norwegian transport,” said project director Oddvar Kaarmo. “Ferries can be delayed by bad weather, sometimes shutting down completely. Once the tunnel is open, the route will be open 24/7, rain or shine.”
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The 26.5-kilometre tunnel will be carved through solid rock beneath the sea, reaching a staggering depth of 400 metres. It will feature two parallel tunnels with four lanes in total, ensuring smooth traffic flow with no risk of gridlock. Once complete, it will overtake Norway’s own Lærdal Tunnel (24km) as the longest road tunnel in the world.
It won’t come cheap, though. The Norwegian government is footing 40% of the bill, while the rest will be covered by tolls – drivers will have to fork out around €36 for the privilege of using it.
The race to 2033 – and beyond for Norway travel plans
Construction is already in full swing, with completion set for 2033. But Norway isn’t stopping there – the country is also eyeing futuristic floating tunnels to further streamline its coastal highway network.
With Rogfast smashing records and slashing travel times, Norway is making waves in the world of transport, and ferry operators might soon need to adapt.
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