Tunnelling

Norway Overcomes

This year I have been lucky enough to go to Norway twice, once to a winter wonderland and now just back from lush green mountain sides, with waterfalls at every turn and fjords that weren’t a block of ice. Both seasons were unbelievably stunning and well worth going!

Norway's unique landscape, characterized by its majestic fjords, jutting mountains, and tiny rock islands scattered everywhere, has always presented unique transportation challenges. Still today, Norway’s Hurtigruten ships ply daily the coastal towns as they have for 130 years delivering mail, people and materials as there were no real roads to connect people.

Historically, the Norwegians, with their indomitable spirit, transformed these challenges into engineering marvels. The inception of tunnels in Norway dates back to 1884 with a great breakthrough, not just men with pickaxes. The construction of the Bergen Railroad needed an astounding 182 tunnels to complete the east and west connection. These tunnels stand as symbols of Norway's resilience, innovation, and the nation's commitment to bridging distances.  The test of building tunnels in Norway included the rugged terrain, the harsh weather conditions, and the high cost of construction. The Norwegian mountains are made of hard rock, which makes it difficult to drill and excavate. The weather in Norway can also be extreme, with temperatures ranging from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to the 80’s.

Traveling through Norway could be quite an odyssey because its geography is full of rock- hard mountains which makes many journeys long, plus you were dependent on ferries which, when there is bad weather, can delay the journey for hours. But all that changed when the first public railway known as the Trunk Line started to chug across and through mountains. Work on this line was led by the Englishman Robert Stephenson, son of George Stephenson, who had constructed the very first public railway in the world.  The difficult technical work created railway history in the Nordic countries was the great feat of engineering in the Vendetunnelen that runs a figure eight inside the mountain. A turnaround tunnel is designed to give the train extra distance to climb the steep slope at the top of Flamsdalen. This tunnel has a 180 degree bend and is one of two tunnels on the route. I had the pleasure of riding these rails from Flam to Myrdal and then onward to Oslo, this is rightly billed as one of the world’s most scenic train journeys.

Another is the Golden Train out of Andalsnes port, which takes you on a magical journey through beautiful Romsdalen Valley.  The Rauma Railway is again called "Europe’s most scenic train journey," This tourist train is not short of remarkable sights and stories.

Vivid true stories of its dramatic history are told on this journey. On a cold snowy morning of April 1940, Germany invaded Oslo making Norway's participation in WW2 a fact. One of the German's main objectives was to take control of the country’s vast gold reserve. Luckily a group of brave Norwegian soldiers, volunteers and resistance fighters refused to sit by and let this happen. With the secret code name “the heavy luggage” they took it upon themselves to transport 50 tons of gold out of Oslo and to safety. As enemy bombs rained over Norway, the gold was transported by trucks to Lillehammer, before continuing the journey by train on the Rauma Railway. During a close call, the train hid-out in a tunnel for several days. Though the enemy was not far behind as the steam train sped through the valley and eventually rolled into Åndalsnes Station. A few days later the escape continued with the help of 25 trucks. They did not get far before three enemy planes started dropping bombs all around them. The Norwegians decided to go into hiding until it was safe, but the planes did not retreat. In the end they had to continue the dangerous journey while bombs still fell all around them. The successful evacuation of both the gold reserves and King Haakon VII and some of his government eventually made it safely to Britain.

Drill and blast tunneling was the main method when constructing the many hydroelectric projects in the 20^th century and remains the most common way of tunnel excavation in Norway. Experienced tunnellers assess how to support the tunnel in consultation with engineering geologists. Norwegian tunnels are renowned for their safety standards. The country employs cutting-edge engineering, rigorous maintenance schedules, and strict safety protocols. 

Traveling along the roads you are transported through tunnel after tunnel. I think one day I counted that we had driven through 30 tunnels, it is mind boggling! Road tunnels form the backbone of Norway’s public road network with a staggering over 900 and counting. They ensure that now even the most remote areas are accessible. But I have seen roads end and a cluster of houses are within walking distance by climbing terrain.

Tunnels are essential for the national rail system, by being meticulously carved to ensure trains navigate the challenging Norwegian topography seamlessly. And a testament to Norway's advanced engineering, these tunnels now dive beneath the sea, offering a unique underwater travel experience while connecting islands to the mainland. Norway is about to start the construction of its own underwater tunnel, which it will call “Rogfast” and will serve to connect different points of the country more efficiently and quickly. It will be an underwater mega tunnel that will be the deepest in the world, reaching 1312 feet below sea level. It is estimated that it will be 15.5 miles long and will connect Randaberg and Bokn, reducing a journey that takes more than 10 hours by motorway. And they will be able to complete this journey in amazingly just over an hour! Imagine when it snows or when the weather conditions did not allow the trip…Because the Rogfast will allow for fast and safe crossings without weather interruptions throughout the country. Also, there will be four lanes so that the tunnel can absorb all the traffic from both regions and thus make road journeys much smoother and without complications scheduled to be completed in 2033.

Then there is Ryfylke Tunnel that delves deep beneath the sea, spanning 9 miles making it one of the longest subsea tunnels. Then there is Gudvanga tunnel just a little shorter. A highlight for anyone who has gone through the Laerdal Tunnel is a vital transportation link between the east and west coasts of Norway. It cuts travel time between Oslo and Bergen by about two hours. But besides time saving its internal lighting is designed to mimic a sunrise, offering travelers a surreal and unforgettable journey. The Atlantic Ocean Road is one of the most beautiful in Norway as it is a series of bridges and tunnels submerged in the Atlantic. It connects the islands of Husoy and Averoy on the coast above the Arctic Circle. The road winds its way through Norwegian fjords, providing stunning views of the surrounding astonishing landscapes.

Though I can get claustrophobic the tunnels are amazing spacious, well lite and features such as state-of-the-art ventilation systems, strategically placed emergency exits, and continuous monitoring ensure that travelers can trust the tunnels in Norway for a safe journey. 

TIP:

Driving through Norway is easy and spectacular -- but don't miss the Lofoten Islands - truly magical!