Lrdalstunnelen, or Lrdal Tunnel, is found in Norway and is the world’s largest road tunnel – bringing together two of Europe’s largest cities for easy tourist access
The world’s longest tunnel, the Lrdal Tunnel in Norway, is a staggering 15 miles long and cost an eye-watering £120million to construct. Known as Lrdalstunnelen, it connects the cities of Aurland on the south side of the Sognefjorden and Lrdal in the old district of Sogn.
It provides a ferry-free link between Oslo, the capital city of Norway, and Bergen, a popular tourist destination in the south west known for its stunning fjords.
Tourists can drive through the tunnel, taking in the breathtaking fjord in Flam before returning via the Aurlandsfjellet plateau on the Snow Road between Aurlandsvangen and Lrdalsyri. According to travel guides and experts from Visit Norway, this journey is not to be missed.
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Tourism bosses on the site have praised the experience, saying: “This is an opportunity to experience the mountain from both outside and in! If you have time, you should visit the 800-year-old Borgund Stave Church in Lrdal, one of the most visited and photographed stave churches.”
The colossal Lrdal Tunnel, which opened to the public in November 2000, is a marvel of engineering with lighting playing a crucial role in its design. Every 6 km, the tunnel widens and rock chambers are illuminated with special lighting, reports the Mirror.
The project cost 1,050 million NOK (£98 million), meaning each metre of the tunnel cost 38,000 NOK (£3,500). Despite this, the tunnel remains toll-free.
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It features 15 turning points and 48 breakdown lay-bys, and is divided into four sections.
Upon its completion, it reduced the cycling route from Fyllingsdalen, a suburb of Bergen, to central Bergen by about 5.5 kilometres, saving cyclists around 20 minutes. This made the journey more manageable during the icy and snowy winter months.
The structure also significantly enhanced transportation and logistics for those delivering goods to the area, boosting the local economies of several Norwegian cities. It’s also a popular attraction for those who want to marvel at its construction.
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Due to its record length and the engineering prowess behind it, the Lrdal Tunnel stands as a testament to modern engineering. It has been lauded for improving connectivity and safe travel through Norway’s most challenging landscapes.
An estimated 1,000 vehicles pass through the tunnel daily, with up to 400 vehicles using it per hour during peak times.
National Geographic has revealed: “The Lrdal Tunnel is the longest road tunnel in the world, meaning it’s the longest tunnel that you can drive through. At 57 km (35.4 miles), the Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland now holds the title for longest tunnel in the world (used only by trains), and last September, I rode through the Seikan Tunnel in Japan, which is the longest undersea tunnel in the world.”
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