Floating underwater tunnels: Norway earmarks $25bn for floating submerged tunnel plan - TomoNews
- 7 years ago
OSLO, NORWAY — The Norwegian Public Roads Administration believes floating underwater tunnels could be the key to shorter driving times in the country.
Norway is home to more than 1,100 fjords, the deep glacial water inlets that divide land masses. Getting over one means taking a ferry, and that can add hours to a car trip.
Because fjords can be up to a mile deep, building a bridge over the waterway or tunnel underneath is not very practical.
But Norwegian engineers think they can build a quicker way. They want to float concrete tunnels up to 100 feet below the ocean’s surface.
This would allow ships to sail unobstructed by bridges. Floating pontoons would hold the concrete tunnels in place. Engineers hope the ambitious $25 billion project will be completed by 2035.
Norway is home to more than 1,100 fjords, the deep glacial water inlets that divide land masses. Getting over one means taking a ferry, and that can add hours to a car trip.
Because fjords can be up to a mile deep, building a bridge over the waterway or tunnel underneath is not very practical.
But Norwegian engineers think they can build a quicker way. They want to float concrete tunnels up to 100 feet below the ocean’s surface.
This would allow ships to sail unobstructed by bridges. Floating pontoons would hold the concrete tunnels in place. Engineers hope the ambitious $25 billion project will be completed by 2035.