Iceland advances coastal road links
22 May 2013
Patrick Reynolds for TunnelTalk
- The Metrostav/Sudurverk joint venture is selected by Icelandic road authority Vegagerdin for construction of the Nordfjordur road tunnel, while in the north west of the country the 5.3km Dyrajjord tunnel is in early design.
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- With final negotiations for Nordfjordur almost finished, the client expects the contract to be signed mid-June with tunnelling to start before the end of the year.
- The Czech/Icelandic JV's bid of the ISK9.292 billion (US$75.34 million) beat off tenders from two prequalified rivals; local firm Istak (ISK9.9 billion (US$80.27 million), and a JV of Iceland's IAV with Marti of Switzerland (ISK10.5 billion (US$85.14 million). The client's estimate was ISK9.55 billion (US$77.43 million).
- Nordfjordur road tunnel is located in east Iceland, on the rugged fjord coastline. Geology along the alignment is basalt with interbedded sedimentary layers. The 7.63km long single tube will have a T8 profile, which has a base width of 8m, and portal structures totalling 366m.
- Government backing for the Nordfjordur scheme was won in early 2012. By starting construction in November, drill+blast tunnelling will advance while the long Arctic winter sets in. The project, which also includes 7km of access roads, is to be completed by late 2017.
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Artist impression of Nordfjordur tunnel approach
- Local consultants on project development included Mannvit, Verkis and EFLA. A construction supervisor has yet to be appointed, the client said.
- The Nordfjordur project is Metrostav's second road tunnel in Iceland. It completed the Hedinsfjordur scheme in late 2010. Hedinsfjordur comprises two tunnels - Olafsfjordur, currently the longest in the country at 6.93km plus portal structures, and Siglufjordur at 3.65km plus structures.
- The three bidders recently vied for the 7.5km long Vadlaheidi road tunnel project, which went to IAV/Marti with a bid of ISK8.85 billion (US$71.76 million). The contract was signed in February and blasting for the single tube tunnel near Akureyri, in north Iceland, near the Hedinsfjordur scheme, is expected to begin in July, said the client. Vadlaheidi tunnel is to be opened in late 2016.
- In 2010, Marti finished construction of the 5.4km long Oshlid road tunnel scheme.
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Iceland awards its longest road tunnel - TunnelTalk, February 2013
Iceland progresses road tunnel plans - TunnelTalk, July 2012
Iceland bids new Vadlaheidi road tunnel - TunnelTalk, May 2011
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