Approval for Construction of World’s Longest and Deepest Submarine Tunnel Received: Nearly 400m Below Sea Level
Norwegian engineering is about to set a new milestone. The Rogfast project, already approved and underway, will become the longest and deepest underwater tunnel on the planet, with 26.7 kilometers in length and a maximum depth of 392 meters. The mega-project will not only connect key cities in the southwest of the country, but will also reduce the journey on the E39 highway by 11 hours, transforming national mobility.
### A journey that will change forever
Currently, traveling the 1,090 km of the E39 coastal road, between Trondheim and Kristiansand, takes 21 hours and involves seven ferry crossings. With Rogfast, that same journey can be completed in 10 hours.
The tunnel will connect the districts of Randaberg and Bokn, in the Rogaland region, crossing a 26-kilometer stretch of open sea.
### A record engineering challenge
According to Statens Vegvesen, Rogfast will be the longest underwater road tunnel in the world, the deepest (392 meters), and the first four-lane tunnel to reach such figures. Its construction involves excavating in rock under the seabed, a technical challenge that requires cutting-edge technology and coordination of multiple teams in parallel.
Construction began in 2018 but experienced delays due to the pandemic. It is now expected to open in 2033, with a total cost of 1.9 billion euros.
### Funding and toll
40% of the investment comes from the Norwegian government, while 60% will be financed through tolls. Each driver passing through Rogfast will have to pay around 30 euros. The model aims to ensure the economic sustainability of the project without hindering its progress.
In addition to reducing travel time, the tunnel will solve common problems with ferries in winter, when weather conditions force crossings to be suspended. According to Oddvar Kaarmo, project director, Rogfast will offer a stable and safe alternative throughout the year.
CNN highlights that its opening will set several world records: it will be the longest underwater road tunnel, the deepest with four lanes, and the deepest road crossing on the planet.
### A symbol of innovation
Beyond the numbers, Rogfast represents Norwegian ambition to modernize its infrastructure, improve logistics, and become a global reference in civil engineering, with implications for both national mobility and the technological prestige of the Scandinavian country.
