Hardanger Bridge
| Hardanger Bridge | |
|---|---|
 Hardanger Bridge seen from the east | |
| Locale | Hardangerfjord |
| Maintained by | Norwegian Public Roads Administration[1] |
| Total length | 1,380 metres (4,530 ft)[2] |
| Width | 20 metres (66 ft)[2] |
| Height | 200 metres (660 ft)[2] |
| Longest span | 1,310 metres (4,300 ft)[2] |
| Clearance below | 55 metres (180 ft)[2] |
| Constructed by | MT Højgaard[2] |
| Construction begin | February 2009 |
| Construction end | August 2013 |
| Toll | Yes |
| Coordinates | 60°28′46″N 6°49′53″E / 60.47944°N 6.83139°E |
Hardanger Bridge is a bridge between Ullensvang and Ulvik in Hordaland, Norway, across the Hardangerfjord. It replaced a ferry connection between Bruravik and Brimnes, and shortens the driving time between Oslo and Bergen. It is the longest suspension bridge in Norway.
Construction
The bridge was approved by the Norwegian Parliament on February 28, 2006, and construction began on February 26, 2009.[1] While the bridge was engineered by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, the construction is done by MT Højgaard.[2] The project had a budget of 2.3 billion kroner (€290 million) and more than half of this will be paid by toll and saved ferry subsidies.[3]
The ferry, serviced by Fjord1, ran across the fjord every 20–60 minutes depending on the season, and the trip lasted 10 minutes.
The bridge is 1,380 metres (4,530 ft) long, with a main span of 1,310 metres (4,300 ft). Sailing height is 55 metres (180 ft) and the towers reach 200 metres (660 ft) above sea level. There are two driving lanes for cars with an 80 km/h speed limit, and a separate lane for pedestrians and cyclists.[4]
The traffic on the bridge is only estimated for 2000 vehicles per day.[4] The opening of the bridge took place on 17 August 2013.
The main span is one of the longest suspension bridge spans in the world.[5] It is also the longest tunnel to tunnel suspension bridge in the world with a 2.5 km tunnel on the south side of Bu and a 7.5 km tunnel on the north side of Vallavik.
 The Hardanger Bridge under construction, July 2010 |
 Tower Cable Saddles for Hardanger Bridge |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "In English". NPRA. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Hardanger Bridge at Structurae
- ↑ "Finance". NPRA. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Technical facts". NPRA. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
- ↑ Hardanger Bridge – Information. NPRA. 2011. p. 7.
External links
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