A groundbreaking project to build the world’s first sea tunnel is back on track after being delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Stad Ship Tunnel will cut through Norway's Stad Peninsula, a region known for its dangerous waters and unpredictable weather.
Construction will begin soon, with the project costing £260 million, writes Ziare.
The Stad Peninsula has been notorious for violent tides and fierce weather, making it difficult and unsafe for ships to pass through.
Many sailors are forced to wait in port for the right conditions. Over the years, these rough waters have delayed maritime trade and even led to deadly accidents.
Smaller boats can be carried over land, but this isn’t practical for large commercial vessels.
To solve this problem, Norwegian authorities have decided to build a tunnel that will allow ships to pass safely through the peninsula.
The tunnel will be 1.5 kilometers long and will offer a secure route for ships traveling between Selje in the north and Moldefjord in the south.
Ships will enter the tunnel on a schedule, with traffic regulated by lights. Similar to how planes land at airports, ships will be given specific time slots to enter the tunnel.
To prevent accidents, there will be a speed limit of five knots. Speedboats will be able to pass through faster at a speed of 8 knots, completing the journey in about ten minutes.
Work is set to begin in 2025 and will involve removing about three million cubic meters of rock.
The Stad Tunnel will be an impressive feat of engineering and a major tourist attraction for those traveling along Norway’s scenic coastal route. If all goes as planned, the tunnel should open by 2030.
In addition to this project, China is also working on the Tianshan Shengli road tunnel, which will be the longest of its kind.
It will cross the Tianshan Mountains and significantly reduce travel time. This tunnel is expected to open in 2025, with its construction costing £3 billion.
