On January 4
th , 2020 the
Harstad tunnel (1406 m) was opened to traffic, the tunnel is part of the
Harstad package, a EUR164.21 million (NOK 1620 million, value 2016) road package signed by Harstad municipality, Troms county municipality and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration in 2016. The project is to ensure that Harstad is equipped to meet the traffic challenges in the years ahead.
The Harstad tunnel provides a new connection between Seljestad and Sama in Harstad (Troms county, Norway) reducing transit traffic in the city center and providing better conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. Works in the Harstad tunnel started on September 28, 2016 and the breakthrough came on October 16, 2017. The main contractor was Aldesa Construcciones SA (Madrid, Spain), while Traftec AS (Grimstad, Norway) did the electrical work.
The Harstad tunnel is equipped with 19 emergency stations with emergency telephone and fire extinguisher. Furthermore, it has 22 surveillance cameras, 14 fans for fire ventilation, emergency grids and DAB. There are barriers on both sides, so it can be physically closed if needed. The tunnel is monitored 24/7 by the Road Traffic Center (VTS), which can remotely control booms and fans.
Finally, the tunnel has two emergency exits for rapid evacuation. The emergency exit to the south is 270 m long and comes out approx. 400 m east of the portal at Seljestad. The emergency exit in the north is approx. 350 m long and comes out at Harstad church. The distance between the two emergency exits is approx. 500 m. For further information please click here.02/20.
