Nordoya Tunnel Opens in Faroe IslandsThe 6.2 km Nordoya subsea tunnel opened on 29th April, 2006 in the Faroe Islands, three months ahead of schedule. This is a single-tube dual-lane tunnel, the longest in the Faroe Islands, connecting Leirvik on Esturoy with Klaskvik on Bordoy, the most northerly islands. At its deepest point, the tunnel runs 150 metres under the sea level. The Faroes are an archipelago in the north Atlantic ocean between Scotland and Iceland, administered by Denmark.In the fall of 2003, a contract was signed with a joint venture of NCC and local partners J&K Petersen Contractors and Byggitek. Construction began in Leirvik on 18th December, 2003 and in Klaksvik on 20th April, 2004. The tunnel holed through on 25th June, 2005. Visit www.ncc.dkThe key element for such a short construction time was the principle of sectional completion of the tunnel. This implied that sections behind the tunnel face of approximately 500 metres each had to be subsequently completed, including the permanent roadworks (drain pipes, cable canals, etc. and one layer of asphalt). Permanent rock support was also determined for each section so that the contractors could install the permanent rock support at any time they preferred.The DKK405 million Nordoya (north island) tunnel is the second subsea tunnel of the Faroes after the Vaga tunnel, built at a cost of DKK302 million. A third tunnel is now planned, the 12 km-long Sandoy tunnel, that will link Gamlaraett on Streymoy island, Hestur island and Skopun on Sandoy (south island). This will be one of the world's longest subsea tunnels ever built. Geoseismic surveys of the seabed are under way. There are special requirements for ventilation and pumping stations that have to be met when building a tunnel of such length. Construction of the Sandoy tunnel will take approximately 5-6 years. Visit www.tunnil.fo and www.bornholmtunnel.dk/?Nyheder:%C5bningen_af%26nbsp%3BNor%F0oyatunnilinThe excavated section of the tunnel is 65 sq m (width of 10 m). The geology was moderately jointed basalt. The contractors used the drill/blast method, with two drives (one from each side). For support, Orsta bolts and shotcrete with steel fibres were used. Approximately 30% of the final lining is PE-foam protected with shotcrete reinforced with polypropylene fibres. Another approx. 30% of the tunnel is lined with Masterseal from Degussa. Approx. 40% has no lining since there was no need. Lights, ventilation and other equipment were installed according to Norwegian tunnel code No. 021. Click dk/15. Visit www.orsta.com and www.degussa.com 23/06.