Hardanger Bridge Hardanger Bridge, Norway

The Hardanger Bridge is a 1,380m long suspension bridge designed and planned to cross the Hardangerfjord in southwestern Norway, replacing the current ferry connection between Brurvik and Brimnes on National Road 7/13 in Hardanger.

With a main span of 1,310m, the suspension bridge with have one of the longest spans in the world and has been called 'Norway's Golden Gate Bridge', although it is 30m longer than the bridge in San Francisco.

The Nkr1.8bn (£168m) to construct the bridge will be raised by toll financing (approximately 66% over 15 years), local and regional contributions (approximately 23%), and compensation for saved ferry costs/state funding (approximately 11%).

The Hardanger crossing has caused controversy in Norway after several parliamentary parties opposed the project. The go ahead for the bridge was finally given at the end of February 2006 by the Storting, Norway’s parliament.

Construction is planned to start in 2008, and opening is scheduled for 2011.

THE HARDANGER BRIDGE

The bridge is planned to offer two lanes for cars (2 × 4.5m) and 1 pedestrian lane (3.25m).

The total length of the bridge will be 1,380m, and the design length of the main span is 1,310m. The small difference between length and span is because the fjord quickly becomes very deep (maximum depth of 500m) and is near 1,200m high mountains.

The height of the towers above sea level will be approximately 186m. The bridge will have a clearance above mean high water at mid-span of 55m.

The project also comprises a 2.4km long tunnel and 0.8km of road between the tunnel and the bridge.

In addition, a 0.9km long footpath and a cycle path will be built towards the bridge. In the north end, the approach road will start at a roundabout inside the existing Vallavik tunnel. This roundabout will divide the traffic between Granvin, Ulvik and the Hardanger bridge.

The tunnel towards the bridge will be directly connected. In the south end the bridge will be connected directly to a 1,200m long tunnel that ends in a three-way roundabout and divides into one tunnel towards Kinsarvik and one tunnel towards Eidfjord.

PURPOSE OF THE BRIDGE

The bridge will improve travel and transport locally in the inner Hardanger area. The travel and transport between Odda and Voss, between Bergen and Hardanger and towards the upper part of Hallingdal will also be made easier.

Long-distance travel and transport will be made easier by providing a ferry-free connection east–west and north–south.

The average annual daily traffic is expected to increase from approximately 1,150 vehicles to approximately 2,000 vehicles when the bridge is opened in 2011.

Toll collection will be at the south end of the bridge.

Approach road construction will start in March 2007. Bridge construction begins in May 2008.

HARDANGER BRIDGE CONTRACTORS

The project's engineering will be carried out by Statens Vegvesen, region West (Veidirektoratet).

The Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Western region are in charge of planning.

The Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Bridge Technology Section were responsible for the bridge design with support from several companies of consulting engineers.

The bridge architect is Forum Arkitekter AS. The design of the approach roads/tunnels was by Opticonsult AS of Bergen.

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