Oslofjordtunnel

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Tunnel entrance in Hurum (west)
Tunnel entrance in Hurum (west)

Oslofjordtunnel or Oslo Fjord Tunnel is a subsea road tunnel under the Oslo Fjord that connects Hurum municipality in the county of Buskerud, Norway to Akershus county on eastern side of the fjord. The Oslofjordtunnel is one of the longest underwater tunnels of its kind in Northern Europe; it is 7.2 km long and reaches a depth of 134 metres below sea level, with a maximum 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 the Oslo Fjord, replacing the former ferry line between Drøbak and Storsand.

The tunnel has one lane in each direction with an extra lane in the inclining direction on the slopes. The speed limit of 80 km/h is enforced by 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. Although Gardermoen was chosen instead as location for the new airport, the plans for the tunnel were allowed to continue, and on December 13, 1996 the Norwegian legislature, Stortinget, authorized the project. Construction began April 14, 1997. There have been some closings of the tunnel due to unstable geological activities.