Hålogaland Bridge

The Hålogaland Bridge, April 2018.
The Hålogaland Bridge under construction, August 2016
Construction of the bridge, June 2015

The Hålogaland Bridge (Norwegian: Hålogalandsbrua) is a suspension bridge under construction which will cross the Rombaksfjorden in the municipality of Narvik in Nordland county, Norway. As the second-longest bridge in Norway, it will be part of the European Route E6 highway. It will shorten the driving distance from Narvik to Bjerkvik by 17 kilometers (11 mi) and from Narvik to Bjørnfjell, via European Route E10 by 5 kilometers (3.1 mi). The bridge is estimated to cost 2.2 billion kr. Financing will come from a mix of state grants and tolls.[1]

The bridge lies above the Arctic Circle and is the longest suspension bridge within the Arctic Circle at the time of its construction.[2] Another Narvik bridge, the Rombak Bridge, is nearby.

Construction of the bridge was featured on Season 1 Episode 4 of the Science Channel show Building Giants, titled Arctic Mega Bridge.[2]


History

The bridge was originally planned to be either a suspension bridge or a symphony bridge (a combination of a suspension bridge, a cable-stayed bridge and a cantilever bridge) but the latter was dropped in 2008, as it would cost 520 million kr more.[3] The Norwegian Public Roads Administration estimated the cost of a suspension bridge in 2008 to 1,860 million kr.[3] In addition to the bridge, a tunnel between Trældal and Leirvika was planned, at an estimated cost of 85 million kr. The administration also worked on a method which would shorten the main span from 1,345 to 1,120 meters (4,413 to 3,675 ft), by placing pylons in the fjord.[3]

Financing

As part of the comprehensive financing of the bridge, Narvik Airport, Framnes would be closed (it closed 1 April 2017, one year before the opening). The bridge would shorten travel time to Harstad/Narvik Airport, Evenes from 60 to 40 minutes, and local politicians have accepted the deal.[4][5][6] The Ofoten Regional Council has estimated savings of 840 million kr over the course of 30 years, should the airport be closed. In October 2009, State Secretary Erik Lahnstein stated that he was not happy with the calculations, as they were based on unrealistic presumptions.[7] In September 2010, Minister of Transport and Communications Magnhild Meltveit Kleppa stated that the state would issue a grant of "several hundred million kroner".[1] On 25 May 2012, Kleppa announced that the government would grant NOK 1.6 billion for the bridge, which would supplement NOK 850 million in tolls and a minor amount from Narvik Municipality.[8] A toll station with a NOK 43 toll was opened in September 2015 along the old road.[9] A new toll station will be opened on the north access road when the bridge opens.

Construction

The construction start was 18 February 2013.[10] Expected opening is spring 2018.

In addition to the Hålogaland Bridge, there are a total of 4.9 kilometres of new road, two smaller tunnels and a 1.1-kilometre long avalanche protection tunnel in Trældal, north of Narvik.

The project comprises [11]:

  • The Hålogaland Bridge, 1533 metres
  • Construction of 1.4 kilometres of road on the Narvik side
  • The Ornes tunnel, 270 metres, on the Narvik side
  • Construction of 3.5 kilometres of road at Øyjord
  • The Storlikoll tunnel, 330 metres, at Øyjord
  • The Trældal tunnel, 1.1 kilometres

References

  1. 1 2 "Klarsignal for Hålogalandsbrua". Fremover (in Norwegian). 29 September 2010. Archived from the original on 21 January 2011. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Building Giants - Arctic Mega Bridge". Science Channel. January 25, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 Norwegian Public Roads Administration (8 January 2008). "Hålogalandsbrua - Kostnader" (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 21 January 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  4. ↑ "Strategiplan flyplasser" (PDF) (in Norwegian). 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  5. ↑ Mauren, Arnfinn (8 March 2010). "Nye veier - færre flyplasser". Aftenposten (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 21 January 2011. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  6. ↑ Godø, Knut (5 October 2010). "Nedlagt flyplass gir ny Hålogalandsbru" (in Norwegian). Harstad Tidende. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  7. ↑ "– Ikke fornøyd med bru-regnestykket" (in Norwegian). 28 October 2009. Archived from the original on 21 January 2011. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  8. ↑ "Denne brua skal gjøre slutt på trailersjåførernes mareritt" (in Norwegian). 25 May 2012. Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  9. ↑ http://www.haalogalandsbrua.no
  10. ↑ "Anleggsstart for Hålogalandsbrua i høst" (in Norwegian). fremover.no. 2013-02-19. Retrieved 2013-02-19.
  11. ↑ https://www.vegvesen.no/Europaveg/e6halogalandsbrua/English

Coordinates: 68°27′12″N 17°28′56″E / 68.4534°N 17.4823°E / 68.4534; 17.4823

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