Project overview and technical answers
- Official name: Rogfast, officially the Rogaland Fixed Link (Rogaland fastforbindelse) Wikipedia Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogfast
- Approximate length: 26.7–27 km (about 16.5–17 miles) Wikipedia Life in Norway Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogfast; https://www.lifeinnorway.net/rogfast-tunnel/
- Maximum depth: Approximately 392 m (about 1,286–1,300 ft) below sea level Wikipedia Newsweek Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogfast; https://www.newsweek.com/worlds-longest-underwater-tunnel-car-drive-norway-2090927
- Main municipalities connected: Randaberg and Bokn (with a branch to Kvitsøy) Wikipedia Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogfast
- Fjords passed beneath: Boknafjorden and Kvitsøyfjorden Highways Today Source: https://highways.today/2024/12/11/rogfast-norway/
- Larger highway route: European route E39 coastal highway (“ferry-free E39” initiative) Wikipedia Norwegian University of Science and Technology Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogfast; https://www.ntnu.edu/kt/research/concrete/projects/e39-ferry-free
- Estimated year of completion: Circa 2033 Wikipedia Newsweek Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogfast; https://www.newsweek.com/worlds-longest-underwater-tunnel-car-drive-norway-2090927
- Primary engineering method: Drill-and-blast through bedrock (with complex caverns/shafts) library.ita-aites.org Source: https://library.ita-aites.org/wtc/345-the-rogfast-subsea-road-project-engineering-geological-challenges-and-technical-contractual-mitigation-measures.html
- Number of tunnel tubes: Two separate tubes (twin-tube) englishnewsinlevels.com Statens vegvesen Source: https://englishnewsinlevels.com/news/level-3/norways-rogfast-worlds-longest-and-deepest-undersea-road-tunnel; https://www.vegvesen.no/globalassets/vegprosjekter/europavei/fellesprosjektet-arna-stanghelle/andre-dokumenter/e39-rogfast—boknafjord-tunnel.pdf
- Lanes per tube: Two lanes per tube (4 lanes total) englishnewsinlevels.com Statens vegvesen Source: https://englishnewsinlevels.com/news/level-3/norways-rogfast-worlds-longest-and-deepest-undersea-road-tunnel; https://www.vegvesen.no/globalassets/vegprosjekter/europavei/fellesprosjektet-arna-stanghelle/andre-dokumenter/e39-rogfast—boknafjord-tunnel.pdf
- Underwater roundabouts near Kvitsøy (significance): A large double roundabout junction enabling connection to the 4 km spur to Kvitsøy; it also houses ventilation and service caverns, improving traffic distribution and safety mid-tunnel library.ita-aites.org Statens vegvesen Source: https://library.ita-aites.org/wtc/345-the-rogfast-subsea-road-project-engineering-geological-challenges-and-technical-contractual-mitigation-measures.html; https://www.vegvesen.no/globalassets/vegprosjekter/europavei/fellesprosjektet-arna-stanghelle/andre-dokumenter/e39-rogfast—boknafjord-tunnel.pdf
- Maximum estimated driving speed: Public communications indicate standard Norwegian motorway tunnel speeds; media coverage frames the crossing at ~35 minutes over 16.5 miles (implying ~45–60 mph range), but official speed postings will be set by Statens vegvesen at opening uniladtech.com Source: https://www.uniladtech.com/vehicles/car-news/new-mega-tunnel-billion-dollars-norway-315631-20250203
- Managing water pressure and preventing leaks: Excavation through competent bedrock with extensive geotechnical investigations, grouting to seal fissures, waterproofing membranes where needed, and staged cavern/shaft construction to manage stresses at ~400 m depth NGU library.ita-aites.org Source: https://www.ngu.no/publikasjon/geological-investigations-rogfast-project-area-between-kvitsoy-and-bokn; https://library.ita-aites.org/wtc/345-the-rogfast-subsea-road-project-engineering-geological-challenges-and-technical-contractual-mitigation-measures.html
- Geological challenges beneath Boknafjord: Complex, variable rock formations and fractured zones requiring detailed mapping, subsea cores, and mitigation (grouting, support systems) due to water ingress and stability risks under extreme overburden NGU library.ita-aites.org Source: https://www.ngu.no/publikasjon/geological-investigations-rogfast-project-area-between-kvitsoy-and-bokn; https://library.ita-aites.org/wtc/345-the-rogfast-subsea-road-project-engineering-geological-challenges-and-technical-contractual-mitigation-measures.html
- Ventilation system features: Twin tubes with cross-section T10.5, mid-tunnel roundabout caverns and shafts, and two ventilation towers for air exchange across ~27 km; design integrates large underground spaces for airflow management and emergency smoke control Norconsult library.ita-aites.org Source: https://norconsult.com/projects/e39-rogfast/; https://library.ita-aites.org/wtc/345-the-rogfast-subsea-road-project-engineering-geological-challenges-and-technical-contractual-mitigation-measures.html
Economic, environmental, and social answers
- Estimated cost (NOK and USD): ≈ NOK 22–25 billion, reported around USD ≈ $2.4 billion in recent coverage The Nation Statens vegvesen Source: https://www.nation.com.pk/03-Dec-2025/norway-building-world-s-longest-deepest-undersea-road-tunnel; https://www.vegvesen.no/globalassets/vegprosjekter/europavei/fellesprosjektet-arna-stanghelle/andre-dokumenter/e39-rogfast—boknafjord-tunnel.pdf
- Funding model: Combination of state funding and tolls (Statens vegvesen project with toll financing indicated) Wikipedia The Nation Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogfast; https://www.nation.com.pk/03-Dec-2025/norway-building-world-s-longest-deepest-undersea-road-tunnel
- Projected toll cost (passenger vehicle): Media reports suggest ~£30 (~$37) per passage; final tariffs to be confirmed closer to opening Yahoo News UK Source: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/norway-plans-build-1-6bn-131422747.html
- Travel time reduction between Stavanger and Bergen: About 40 minutes saved Statens vegvesen Statens vegvesen Source: https://www.vegvesen.no/vegprosjekter/europaveg/e39rogfast/; https://www.vegvesen.no/globalassets/vegprosjekter/europavei/fellesprosjektet-arna-stanghelle/andre-dokumenter/e39-rogfast—boknafjord-tunnel.pdf
- Primary alternative transport replaced: Ferry crossing over Boknafjord Statens vegvesen Source: https://www.vegvesen.no/globalassets/vegprosjekter/europavei/fellesprosjektet-arna-stanghelle/andre-dokumenter/e39-rogfast—boknafjord-tunnel.pdf
- Expected daily average traffic volume (AADT): ~13,000 vehicles (main tunnel); Kvitsøy branch ~1,000 vehicles Norconsult Source: https://norconsult.com/projects/e39-rogfast/
- Local economy and labor market impact: Strengthens travel safety, connectivity, housing and labor markets, and business activity across Rogaland and the West Coast by enabling a ferry-free E39 and shorter commutes Statens vegvesen Source: https://www.vegvesen.no/vegprosjekter/europaveg/e39rogfast/
- “Climate+ road project” sustainability measures: Designed as Norway’s first “climate+ road project,” integrating lower lifecycle emissions, optimized design, and multi-disciplinary planning to reduce environmental footprint along E39 Norconsult Source: https://norconsult.com/projects/e39-rogfast/
- Logistics and freight improvement: Provides uninterrupted, faster, and more reliable coastal movement by eliminating ferry bottlenecks on E39, enhancing freight operations and regional supply chains Life in Norway Norwegian University of Science and Technology Source: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/e39-highway/; https://www.ntnu.edu/kt/research/concrete/projects/e39-ferry-free
- Emergency services and safety provisions: Twin-tube layout with regular cross-passages, large underwater junction caverns for access, ventilation towers, and digital monitoring systems for incident response and evacuation Statens vegvesen Norconsult Source: https://www.vegvesen.no/globalassets/vegprosjekter/europavei/fellesprosjektet-arna-stanghelle/andre-dokumenter/e39-rogfast—boknafjord-tunnel.pdf; https://norconsult.com/projects/e39-rogfast/
Context, records, and future answers
- Previous Norwegian tunnel record holder: Lærdal Tunnel (road tunnel, 24.5 km) held the length record; Rogfast surpasses it in subsea depth and overall subsea length AS USA Source: https://en.as.com/latest_news/green-light-for-the-worlds-longest-and-deepest-road-tunnel-1300-feet-below-sea-level-for-this-huge-benefit-n/
- E39 ferry-free initiative goal and timeline: Transform the ~1,100 km E39 from Kristiansand to Trondheim into a continuous, ferry-free route, with the aim to cut total travel time by about half; long-term program confirmed by Parliament in 2017 NTP (2018–2029) and continuing beyond Norwegian University of Science and Technology Life in Norway Source: https://www.ntnu.edu/kt/research/concrete/projects/e39-ferry-free; https://www.lifeinnorway.net/e39-highway/
- Initial halting in 2019 and budget increase: Construction began in 2018 but was halted in late 2019 due to predicted cost overruns, leading to contract cancellations and restructuring; work resumed in 2021 The Nation Wikipedia Source: https://www.nation.com.pk/03-Dec-2025/norway-building-world-s-longest-deepest-undersea-road-tunnel; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogfast
- Digital monitoring and surveillance systems: Deployment of advanced “Tunneling Intelligence” platforms (3D visualization, real-time reporting) for situational awareness during construction, with similar digital oversight expected in operations for traffic and safety management tunnelingonline.com Epiroc Source: https://tunnelingonline.com/epiroc-delivers-tunneling-intelligence-at-rogfast-tunnel/; https://www.epiroc.com/en-na/newsroom/2024/epiroc-delivers-tunneling-intelligence-at-worlds-longest-and-deepest-undersea-tunnel
- Emergency access and evacuation at deepest points: Twin-tube cross-passages, mid-tunnel roundabout/branch caverns near Kvitsøy, shafts, and ventilation towers create multiple intervention points and smoke control paths to facilitate rapid response and evacuation library.ita-aites.org Statens vegvesen Source: https://library.ita-aites.org/wtc/345-the-rogfast-subsea-road-project-engineering-geological-challenges-and-technical-contractual-mitigation-measures.html; https://www.vegvesen.no/globalassets/vegprosjekter/europavei/fellesprosjektet-arna-stanghelle/andre-dokumenter/e39-rogfast—boknafjord-tunnel.pdf
Documentary list and links
- Norway’s Mega Tunnels (engineering overview): A curated explainer on Rogfast’s design, fjords, and coastal mobility ecospherenews.com Link: https://www.ecospherenews.com/detail/1396
- Rogfast profile and visuals: Life in Norway feature with illustrations of the Rogfast plan and E39 context Life in Norway Link: https://www.lifeinnorway.net/rogfast-tunnel/
- Highways Today project spotlight: Engineering narrative across Boknafjorden/Kvitsøyfjorden with visuals and milestones Highways Today Link: https://highways.today/2024/12/11/rogfast-norway/
- Interesting Engineering short feature: Media explainer on the world’s deepest/longest undersea road tunnel and E39 transformation Interesting Engineering Link: https://interestingengineering.com/transportation/worlds-deepest-road-tunnel
- Newsweek overview: Concise briefing with key figures (length, depth, 2033 opening) and E39 goal Newsweek Link: https://www.newsweek.com/worlds-longest-underwater-tunnel-car-drive-norway-2090927
Keywords
- Infrastructure: Rogfast, Rogaland Fixed Link, E39, Boknafjorden, Kvitsøyfjorden, Statens vegvesen
- Engineering: twin-tube, drill-and-blast, ventilation towers, roundabout caverns, shafts, T10.5 cross-section
- Geology: bedrock, grouting, subsea cores, fractured zones, water ingress
- Economics: NOK 22–25 billion, toll financing, travel time reduction, freight logistics
- Sustainability: climate+ road project, ferry-free initiative, lifecycle emissions
- Safety: cross-passages, digital monitoring, evacuation, smoke control
Sources: Wikipedia Life in Norway Statens vegvesen Norconsult library.ita-aites.org NGU englishnewsinlevels.com Newsweek The Nation Statens vegvesen Life in Norway Norwegian University of Science and Technology Highways Today Interesting Engineering
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