The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has prepared an optimized proposal for adjusted exit and entry ramps from the Floyfjell road tunnel in Sandviken on the E39. 

The extension of the Floyfjell tunnel to Eidsvag is a prerequisite for the realization of a new light rail and cycle route between the Sandviken city center and Asane. The light rail will use the existing route of the E39 from Sandviken Hospital to Eidsvag. 

Existing plans for the Floyfjell tunnel extension mean several years of detours for local traffic in Sandviken: the tunnels must be in fact built only from Eidsvag, and new tunnel ramps in Sandviken can only be built after the extended Floyfjell tunnel is opened to traffic.

The Norwegian Public Roads Administration proposes to build new ramp tunnels to/from Sandviken independent of the current Floyfjell tunnel. These tunnels will exit at Glass Knag and be connected to the new roundabout that is already planned here.  New tunnel ramps make it possible to work on the new Floyfjell tunnel from an additional point in addition to Eidsvag, and it makes it possible to complete the tunnel ramps to Sandviken earlier.  The construction time and the extent of long detours for road users to and from Sandviken can be reduced with this solution. The estimated construction time with the original solution is around twelve years, with new ramps this could be reduced by several years. 

Construction of tunnel to Saltimport site is cancelled

The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has confirmed that the previously planned tunnel for the transport of excavated material to the Saltimport site will not be used. This decision is based, among other things, on concerns about noise and health impacts for nearby residents, as well as the increased risk and cost it would have added to the project.

Further progress

The start of zoning plan work for new tunnels to/from Sandviken will be notified after political consideration in Bergen Municipality: the goal is to have an approved plan during the first half of 2026.

In parallel, opportunities are being explored to further optimize the project within the framework of the zoning plan. After the plan has been approved by the municipality, an external quality assurance of the project (KS2) will be carried out. 

Before construction can begin, financing must be clarified, and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration must complete land acquisition and prepare a competitive bid. These processes take time. In addition, there is the procurement process itself to find a contractor. If the project receives the necessary clarifications and financing on an ongoing basis, construction can begin in 2028/29 at the earliest. 

Necessary maintenance work

In the future regardless of progress on the extended Floyfjell tunnel, it is also necessary to carry out extensive maintenance of the existing tunnel, among with replacing existing shaft ventilators that have exceeded their expected service life, in addition to other measures, so that the tunnel can be in operation until the extended and upgraded tunnel can be opened to traffic. 

Click no/44 and no/220 for tunnelbuilder archive  and visit https://www.vegvesen.no/. 24/25.