Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 3, Drilling for Norway’s Fiskefjord tunnel has been completed about six months ahead of schedule. The 9.7 km tunnel will connect Kanstadbotn in Lødingen municipality with Fiskefjorden in Tjeldsund municipality, forming a key part of the OPS Hålogalandsvegen project along the E10 route. The project is being executed under a public-private partnership (PPP) by Skanska Norge and Hæhre, with the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens Vegvesen) as the client. The full project is scheduled for completion in 2028.

Construction of the new E10 route in North Norway will improve transport to and from the important port of Narvik

The E10/rv 85 development stretches from Tjeldsund through Gullesfjordbotn to Langvassbukt. It is designed to improve traffic safety and accessibility between Harstad, Evenes, Lødingen, and Sortland, providing an important transportation link for Northern Norway. The project includes 82 km of upgraded road, of which 27 km pass through seven tunnels. The Fiskefjord tunnel is the longest section, with drilling and blasting used to navigate the competent rock along the alignment.

The E10 serves as a critical route westward from the main E6 road to Lofoten and Vesterålen. Once completed, the project will upgrade road standards, shorten the E10 from Tjeldsund Bridge to Gullesfjordbotn by approximately 30 km, and reduce travel time on this section by 39 minutes.

The upgraded E10 will also strengthen connections between Lofoten, Vesterålen, Harstad/Narvik Airport, and the E6 corridor, enhancing regional integration and supporting more efficient transportation in Northern Norway. The early completion of the Fiskefjord tunnel represents a significant milestone in the overall project, contributing to improved mobility, safety, and travel efficiency for both local and regional traffic.

This development demonstrates Norway’s ongoing investment in infrastructure to modernize road networks, improve accessibility in remote areas, and support economic and social connectivity in the north. The Fiskefjord tunnel and the wider Hålogalandsvegen project are expected to provide a long-term boost to travel reliability and regional development.

By enhancing transport links and reducing travel times, the project is set to benefit commuters, commercial traffic, and tourism, supporting the integration of the broader region and facilitating access to key northern destinations. Construction and operational planning will continue toward full project completion in 2028.