Hvalbiartunnilin

The Hvalbiartunnilin (Hvalba Tunnel) is the name applied to two tunnels on the island of Suðuroy, the most southerly of the Faroe Islands. The original Hvalbiartunnilin is the oldest tunnel in the country, while the new Hvalbiartunnilin is the newest (as of 2021). Both tunnels connect the villages of Hvalba and Trongisvágur.[1] The tunnels are owned and maintained by the public works authority Landsverk.

Nýggi Hvalbiartunnilin
Overview
LocationHvalba and Trongisvágur, Faroe Islands
Coordinates61.5664°N 6.9201°W / 61.5664; -6.9201
StatusActive
Operation
Work begun2019
Opened2021
OwnerLandsverk
OperatorLandsverk
TrafficAutomotive
Vehicles per day2,000 (2030)
Technical
Length2,050 m (6,730 ft)
No. of lanes2
Operating speed80 km/h (50 mph)
Highest elevation101 m (331 ft)
Lowest elevation81 m (266 ft)
Tunnel clearance4.6 m (15 ft)
Width7.0 m (23.0 ft)
Grade6.00 %

History

The centuries before the tunnel arrived, Hvalba and Trongisvágur were connected by a footpath via the Krákugjógv. Construction of the Hvalbiartunnilin started in 1961 and it opened in 1963, as the first tunnel in the country. It closed on 8 May 2021 with the opening of the new tunnel. The old tunnel was an unlit, one-lane tunnel, measuring 1,450 metres in length.[2] Because of its limited clearance of 3.2 metres, it could not handle modern-sized large vehicles, which typically measure 3.7 to 4.0 meters, including lorries, trailers and touringcars. This impededed transport to the rest of the country. Northbound traffic had to yield to southbound traffic in passing places, slowing down transit and reducing road safety.

In 2017 it was decided to replace the old tunnel with a new tunnel.[3] This tunnel, with two lanes and a clearance of 4.5 meters, measures 2,500 metres in length. Boring started on 27 June 2019 and finished on 7 July 2020.[4] A new access road of 2.4 kilometres was constructed on the Hvalba side and 1.4 km on the Trongisvágur side.[5] The tunnel is built by ArtiCon and LNS. It cost 272 million DKK.[6] The tunnel opened on 8 May 2021 with a ceremony, oldtimers and a convoy of lorries that previously could not access Hvalba.[7] The old tunnel will be repurposed, although it will continue to be used for motor traffic as a back-up connection when the new tunnel is closed for any reason.[8]

The new Hvalbiartunnilin would gain additional importance if the subsea Suðuroyartunnilin is constructed between Sandvík on Suðuroy and the isle of Sandoy. This tunnel is yet to be decided upon, but should according to plans open around 2030.[9] Sandoy is connected to capital Tórshavn and the rest of the country via the Sandoyartunnilin.

The footpath between Hvalba and Trongisvágur is a popular hiking route.

Gamli Hvalbiartunnilin
Entrance near Hvalba
Overview
LocationHvalba and Trongisvágur, Faroe Islands
StatusClosed for traffic
Operation
Work begun1961
Opened1963
OwnerLandsverk
OperatorLandsverk
TrafficAutomotive
Vehicles per day900 (2017)
Technical
Length1,450 m (4,760 ft)
No. of lanes1
Operating speed80 km/h (50 mph)
Highest elevation227 m (745 ft)
Lowest elevation150 m (490 ft)
Tunnel clearance3.2 m (10 ft)
Width3.3 m (11 ft)
Grade5.61%

See also

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.