Location Nordmøre, Norway Start Averøya island Traffic Automobile Length 5,727 m Ends Kirkelandet, Kristiansund | Route 64 Work begun 2006 Lowest elevation -250 m Completed 2009 | |
Opened December 19, 2009 (2009-12-19) | ||
The Atlantic Ocean Tunnel (Norwegian: Atlanterhavstunnelen) is an undersea tunnel that is part of Norwegian County Road 64 which connects Kristiansund Municipality to Averøy Municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. The eastern end of the tunnel is on Kirkelandet island in the town of Kristiansund and the western end of the tunnel is on the island of Averøya, just west of the village of Sveggen. The 5,727-metre (18,789 ft) long tunnel runs beneath the Bremsnesfjorden, reaching a depth of 250 metres (820 ft), making it one of the deepest undersea tunnels in the world. Construction began in 2006, and the tunnel opened on 19 December 2009, later than initially estimated. Breakthrough was in March 2009. Problems with water leaks caused delays and cost overruns.
Map of Atlanterhavstunnelen, 6530 Kristiansund, Norway
The name of the tunnel comes from its connection of two islands located at the open Atlantic Ocean, and serves as an extension of Atlanterhavsveien (Atlantic Ocean road), a popular tourist attraction. Atlanterhavsveien road runs over a series of small islands with views of sea, fjord, and mountains, connecting Averøya to the mainland near the town of Molde.