Two Norwegian Rail Operators Expand Oslo–Bergen Freight Capacity

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On November 13, Norwegian rail freight operators OnRail and CargoNet announced capacity adjustments on the Oslo–Bergen route in response to the upcoming long-term nighttime closure of the E16 highway's Lærdal Tunnel. OnRail added one daily round-trip freight train on November 2, while CargoNet plans to lengthen existing trains based on freight demand starting November 16 and adjust unloading times at the Oslo Alnabru freight terminal. After the adjustments, the two companies will jointly provide 7 pairs of Oslo–Bergen freight trains on weekdays, with CargoNet operating 4 pairs and OnRail operating 3 pairs.

OnRail is increasing its daily round-trip trains on the Bergen Railway line from 2 to 3 pairs. The additional services include two evening departures and one daytime departure, connecting Oslo Alnabru freight terminal and Bergen Nygårdstangen freight terminal respectively. With the added services, the rail operator can offer more transport time slots for cargo that previously relied on nighttime road transport.

CargoNet is adopting a capacity expansion approach for existing trains rather than adding fixed departure slots. Starting November 16, the company will attach additional cars and lengthen train formations when freight demand is high, increasing the loading capacity of each train while maintaining the existing departure schedules. Another adjustment will take effect on December 14: after train 5512, which departs Bergen the previous evening, arrives in Oslo, unloading at the Alnabru freight terminal will begin at 6:30 AM, enabling shippers and distribution companies to collect arriving goods earlier and connect with same-day morning delivery arrangements.

The capacity adjustments are directly related to changes in road transport conditions in western Norway. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration plans to implement nighttime closures of the E16 highway's Lærdal Tunnel starting at 18:00 on November 16, 2026, closing from 18:00 each evening to 6:00 the following morning, except on Saturday nights. The tunnel, 24.5 kilometers long, is a key road link connecting eastern and western Norway. Due to blasting and rock reinforcement work required for tunnel upgrades, 12-hour nighttime closures will be necessary for approximately 18 consecutive months, after which the nighttime restriction hours will be gradually reduced. The overall upgrade project is scheduled for completion in autumn 2029.

During the tunnel closures, road freight vehicles will need to adjust transport times or choose alternative mountain routes. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has designated the Hardangervidda section of Route 7 as the east–west alternative route, but this section is vulnerable to severe weather in winter. To maintain essential east–west transport connectivity, road authorities have also required that the Lærdal Tunnel must remain open when Hardangervidda is closed due to severe weather. The tunnel will continue to be open during daytime, but some construction sections will operate alternating single-lane traffic, with expected vehicle transit times increasing by up to 15 minutes.