The Norwegian government wants to prioritise work on the E134 Oslo Fiord Link project in 2024, according to the proposed national budget.
The road and tunnel project construction of a new tunnel parallel with the existing 7.3km-long structure which connects Hurum and Frogn. It carries three lanes reaches a depth of 134m below sea level.
The project was approved in 2015. The first phase of construction of the Oslo Fjord tunnel was started in 2000 and included the construction of the E134 from BjÃ3rnstad in the municipality of RÃ3yken to Vassum in the municipality of Frogn. The Oslo Fjord tunnel between MÃ3na and Verpen, the Frogntunnel and the tunnel are part of the E134 and the Oslo Fjord connection.
Works will include widening of the road from two to four lanes between the tunnel opening at MÃ3na leading 6km to the E6 at Vassum and includes expansion work on the short BrÃ3tan bridge.
Jon-Ivar Nygård, minister of transport, said the project has been ranked number one by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration - Statens Vegvesen. It is part of an outer ring road in Oslo, connecting highways E6 and E18 south of the city.
Meanwhile, the government has set aside funds in the national budget for 2024 to continue preparatory work for the new road and railway between Arna and Stanghelle. Nygård said a new E16 highway and a new Voss rail line on the section are important to improve both accessibility and traffic safety on the main thoroughfare east of Bergen.
The latest cost assessment was for around €2.57 billion. Further progress on the joint project will be considered by the government in a new National Transport Plan to be presented in early next year.