The Bjarkøy Fixed Link (Norwegian: Bjarkøyforbindelsen) is a proposed fixed link which would connect the islands of Bjarkøya and Sandsøya to Grytøya via two subsea road tunnels. The tunnel to Bjarkøya would be 1,600 meters (5,200 ft) while the tunnel or bridge to Grytøya would be 1,000 meters (3,300 ft). The project includes 3 kilometers (1.9 mi) of road on Grytøya. The Bjarkøy Tunnel would be part of Norwegian County Road 867, while the Sandsøya Tunnel would be part of Troms County Road 124.[1]
Bjarkøy has a population of 500 people. In a referendum in 2002, the residents voted to merge with Harstad if the fixed link was built, but as less than two-thirds voted, it was not binding.[2] The financing of the project is based on financing from tolls, saved subsidies to the ferry operations, the saving of NOK 100 million needed to build new ferry quays if the ferry service continues, money saved through the municipal merger and grants from Troms County Municipality. The total cost is estimated at NOK 710 million.[3]
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