- The government has ambitious climate goals. We are working to ensure that all new cars sold in 2025 are emission-free. With this reduction in exhaust emissions, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen) can cut costs by NOK 300 million for the development of a ventilation system in new tunnel Rogfast. A more environmentally friendly everyday life has many unexpected and positive effects, says Transport Minister Knut Arild Hareide.
Cost review of the E39 Rogfast project in Rogaland
The Norwegian Public Roads Authority (Statens vegvesen) reviewed the costs of the E39 Rogfast project in Rogaland last year. Rogfast will be the longest and deepest underwater road tunnel in the world.
Less exhaust emissions from cars, less ventilation
- With less exhaust emissions from cars, we need less ventilation. I want to emphasize that even if there is less ventilation, it will not affect beyond the fire safety of Rogfast. This is especially important with such a long tunnel. At the same time, we hope that the reduction of car emissions may lead to cost cuts in other tunnels in the future, says the Minister of Transport.
The Storting agreed to an increase in costs
Last year's cost review showed that Rogfast will be more expensive. The Storting decided to increase the government's share of this project from 21,4 percent. up to 40 percent The new cost framework is NOK 24,8 billion compared to the previous NOK 20,8 billion.
– Now we have confirmed Norwegian Road Administration Public that they can continue building Rogfast. After the Storting agreed to the cost increase, we sent a letter to the Norwegian Public Roads Authority to complete the formal process. The Norwegian Public Roads Authority can now start advertising contracts for the project, Hareide says.
Although the price of the project as a whole became more expensive, the first contract in the project was canceled
The Norwegian Public Roads Authority canceled the project's first contract after the bid was higher than expected. Although the cost of the project as a whole has increased, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration has made a number of cuts. These included cuts of NOK 300 million related to the ventilation of the new tunnel.
More residential space and the labor market
– Rogfast is one of the largest transport projects in Norway. It connects the Stavanger area with Haugalandet and will provide more living space and a market work and will significantly shorten travel time between Stavanger and Bergen. Project implementation is important, but at the same time we need to be sure that costs are under control. They are now, after a good assessment by the Norwegian Public Roads Authority, says Hareide.
