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Projects

E03 Rogfast: Halfway there!

Production Manager Jon Martin in the half-finished underwater tunnel at Rogfast

Work is progressing on contract E03, which Implenia Norway is carrying out on behalf of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. Tunnelling from the south at Randaberg under the Boknafjord is now in full swing. This means that 52 percent of the tunnel construction to be carried out under the contract is now complete.

This is an important step in the project's progress and shows how the team is impressively overcoming both technical and logistical challenges. It is the first time that Implenia Norway has led the work on an underwater tunnel. At the same time, the project can draw on the solid experience of Implenia employees who have already worked on similar projects.

"We are finding that more water is coming in now that we are working under the sea. There is also more salt in the air, which also wears on the equipment. This requires additional maintenance," explains Production Manager Jon Martin Tangvik.

Major logistical operation

The work runs around the clock. The long tunnel poses a number of logistical challenges, which is why the project includes the use of a module-based workshop that can be relocated into the tunnel during the driving process.

"From a professional point of view, the biggest challenge is to think about the dimensions and logistics of operating such a long tunnel. We are working with two fillers, and although we are avoiding the technically complicated conditions as on the other side of Kvitsøy, it is a major operation that we are carrying out here," emphasizes Jon Martin.

The project E39 Rogfast, E02 Kvitsøy

Contract E02 Kvitsøy is considered the most complex part of the Rogfast project and comprises an approximately 8.8 km long two-lane twin-tube tunnel with a cross-section of 10.5 meters, which is being built both south and north of Kvitsøy and includes, among other things, the complicated two-level crossing inside the mountain with the ramp towards Kvitsøy.

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"For example, access to fresh air is an absolutely essential prerequisite for success. In collaboration with a consulting firm, we have therefore designed our own ventilation concept, which is a high priority in our operating plan. The fact that we also work in rock that generates a lot of dust requires various measures to ensure good working conditions. All of this becomes increasingly important the further the tunnel extends under the Boknafjord," he explains.

Halfway to the goal

The milestone of the half rounding marks that the E03 project is well on track and that Implenia is building up important know-how that will be of great value in future projects.

"Lately we've encountered a lot of bad rock, and the work is taking a little longer. But we are still ahead of schedule and are betting that conditions will improve when we eventually switch to a different type of rock," says Jon Martin. He also has high praise for the people working on the project: "This is a special project, partly because there are so many people in the tunnel at the same time. In order to complete the tunnel within the deadline, many disciplines are working side by side. Parts of the tunnel already look finished today, while at the same time we are pushing ahead with the tunnel at full speed. The focus on coordinating simultaneous work and health, occupational safety and environmental protection is particularly important for us here," he emphasizes.

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