Translation of Statens vegvesen's (The Norwegian Public Roads Administration) press release;

The plan proposal for the E39 Astad-Bjerkeset comes over the New Year, as Statens vegvesen had to make additional assessments of cost estimates and tunnel length.

In November, the Ministry of Transport and Communications decided that Statens vegvesen should proceed with the alternative that seizes the least fully cultivated area in the further planning process for the new E39 towards Batnfjordsøra, north of Molde. This means that there is an investigation and plan proposal for the tunnel alternative that will be presented to Gjemnes municipal council.

Comes in January

- The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has been aimed at sending a plan proposal with an impact assessment to the municipality in December 2024. We are now postponed this until January 2025, when we had to make additional assessments of length on the tunnel, says project manager Halgeir Brudeseth in Statens vegvesen.

In the detailed study that started in January 2024, the tunnel length is planned for approx. 1.5 km from Astad to the Harstad area. This solution assumed landslide protection with approx. 130 m Concrete tunnel and cord walls/wagons for the landslide at Svartdalselva.

Considering extension

New cost estimates for this solution turn out to be higher than before.

- Statens vegvesen is now considering a lowering and extension of the mountain tunnel in the Harstad area, up to approx. 2.1 km total length. This tunnel route goes under the landslide and gets an exit just north of Gaupsetvegen.

Cost estimates for the two tunnel alternatives are at about the same level and it appears that one seizes less fully cultivated area with the longest tunnel alternative, says Brudeseth. A new road will shorten travel time between Kristiansund and Molde, and increase traffic safety on the relevant route.

source: Statens vegvesen press release. Photo:COWI.