Norway will build the world's first floating underwater tunnels

The ambitious plan of Norway, a small but very rich Scandinavian kingdom, is to facilitate the work of ferries through the network of underwater tunnels, and at the same time significantly reduce their number. A ferry is a necessary thing, but when there are too many of them, they strongly interfere with passing ships, accumulating in large quantities in the same places. Plus, it’s still not very beautiful, and traveling with them often becomes two, or even three times longer and tiring.

Underwater tunnels will allow travelers to travel without the help of ferries, which means that you will no longer have to check your schedule and be afraid to be late for the next crossing. "Flooded floating bridges" - that is how they are called, according to the project, are large pipes, fixed with the help of special platforms at a depth of about 30 meters. The pontoons on which the tunnel will be located will be reinforced by beams extending deep into the bottom of the reservoir. Each of the tunnels will be wide enough to pave two lanes on them.

The problem is overdue for a long time. Now, to get from the city of Kristiansand to Trondheim, you need to drive about 1,100 kilometers. This road takes about a day because of the seven ferries on the way. The many fjords and difficult terrain are the main reasons why there are so many ferry crossings in the country that have become in our time not the most efficient way to transport goods and passengers. It is much easier to travel on your own car without being distracted, so it was decided to develop a draft tunnel.

According to preliminary calculations, the implementation of the idea will cost 25 billion dollars, but by 2035 the time that people spend on the road will be reduced by almost two times, and all thanks to underwater tunnels.

The question arises: why it is impossible to build ordinary bridges, having spent much less money and having done so in a much shorter time? The answer is simple. Because of the terrain and weather conditions, bridges are not the best option. Who knows, maybe a passenger Hyperloop will arrive in time for ordinary tunnels?

The article is based on materials https://hi-news.ru/technology/norvegiya-postroit-pervye-v-mire-plavuchie-podvodnye-tunneli.html.