Press

Construction of the Stad Ship Tunnel, which would be able to accommodate cruise and freight ships weighing up to 16,000 tonnes, is expected to open in 2023. It will be 36 metres wide and 49 metres tall and is estimated to cost at least 2.7 billion kroner. Project manager Terje Andreassen said engineers will have to blast out an estimated eight million tonnes of rock to build the tunnel. Construction is expected to start at the earliest in 2019. Norwegian Transportation Minister Ketil Solvik-Olsen explained that sea currents and underwater topography “result in particularly complex wave conditions.” “We are pleased that the ship tunnel now becomes reality,” Solvik-Olsen said, adding that travel time between Norwegian cities and towns in the area would be reduced. (Independent)