Oslofjordtunnel

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Tunnel entrance in Hurum (west)

Oslofjordtunnel or Oslo Fjord Tunnel is a subsea road tunnel under Oslo Fjord that connects Hurum municipality in the county of Buskerud, Norway to the Akershus county on eastern side of the fjord. The Oslofjordtunnel is one of the longest underwater tunnel of its kind in Northern Europe. The tunnel is 7.2 km long and reaches a depth of 134 metres below sea level with a largest gradient of 7%. The tunnel was opened by King Harald V on June 29, 2000 providing an alternative method of transport between the east and west side of Oslo Fjord, replacing the former ferry line between Drøbak and Storsand.

The tunnel has one lane in each direction at the bottom with an extra lane in the inclining direction on the slopes. The speed limit is 80 km/h with road rule enforcement cameras. The tunnel is partially toll financed with a toll plaza on the east of the tunnel.

The first suggestions for construction of a tunnel came with the suggestion of building a new main airport for Eastern Norway at Hurum; but even though Gardermoen was chosen as location for the new airport, the plans for the tunnel were continued, and on December 13, 1996 the Norwegian legislature, Stortinget, gave the right away. Construction began April 14, 1997. There have been some closings of the tunnel due to unstable geological activities.