‘World’s longest’ purpose-built cycling tunnel opens in Norway

A Three-Kilometer-Long Cycling and Pedestrian Tunnel Has Been Blasted Through the Base of Løvstakken Mountain

Key Features:

• Length: Three kilometers (1.8 miles) long

• Purpose: A multipurpose tunnel for cyclists and pedestrians

• Cost: Close to $29 million (300 million Norwegian kroner)

• Construction Time: Four years, starting from February 2019

A Three-Kilometer-Long Tunnel for Cyclists and Pedestrians

Features of the Tunnel

• Two lanes: a 3.5-meter-wide bike lane and a 2.5-meter-wide lane for walkers and runners

• Blue rubber flooring throughout the tunnel, similar to an athletic track, making it more pleasant to use than walking on asphalt

• Art installations and lighting displays throughout the tunnel to help users place where they are on the journey and offer a sense of direction

• A “sundial” installation at the center point, showing the time of day to break up the long line of sight

Construction and Purpose

• The tunnel was constructed in parallel with a new tram line through Bergen’s second Bybanen tram line, which opened in November 2022

• The tunnel also functions as an evacuation tunnel for Bergen’s new tram line

• The construction began in February 2019 and took four years to complete

Unique Aspects:

• The tunnel has two lanes: a 3.5-meter-wide bike lane and a 2.5-meter-wide lane for walkers and runners

• A blue rubber flooring throughout the tunnel, similar to an athletic track, makes it more pleasant to use than walking on asphalt

• The tunnel serves as an evacuation tunnel for Bergen’s new tram line, which opened in November 2022

Art Installations and Lighting:

• Throughout the tunnel, there are various art installations and lighting displays to help users understand their location within the space

• A sundial installation marks the center point of the tunnel, showing the time of day and helping visitors orientate themselves

Statistics:

• It takes under 10 minutes to cycle through the tunnel and around 40 minutes to walk or stroll through it

• The tunnel is otherwise straight, with slight curvatures at entrance and exit points

Opening and Usage

• The tunnel was officially opened on April 15, with a family day of sporting activities

• It takes around 10 minutes to cycle through the tunnel and approximately 40 minutes to walk or stroll through it

• The tunnel is perfectly straight, apart from slight curvatures at entrance and exit