Norway – Construction work – E16 Lærdals tunnel – upgrading of tunnels

The 24.5 km long Lærdal tunnel on the E16 between Aurland and Lærdal in Vestland county shall be upgraded. The tunnel does not meet all requirements in the Tunnel Safety Regulations, and the requirements for electricity safety have changed since the tunnel was opened in 2000. Comprehensive measures must be implemented so that the tunnel shall meet the current standard requirements. New breakdown lay-bys, turning sections and new technical buildings shall be blasted for approx. each km. 28 new technical buildings shall be in place, two of these in the open air. A new ventilation tunnel shall also be blasted next to the old one. The old shaft ventilators in a cross section shall be replaced and two new shaft ventilators shall be installed. All technical equipment shall be replaced and upgraded to fulfil the current standard. The cable runs for new technical installations shall be laid behind a new guard rail in concrete. The existing installations shall be in operation during the entire construction period, and when the new facility is tested and approved, the old one shall be disconnected. Minor improvement measures shall be carried out at the drainage facility in the tunnel, all manholes shall be equipped with a diver, and a new sedimentation facility for washing water shall be constructed on both sides of the tunnel.