Romeriksporten
Encyclopedia
The Romerike Tunnel is a 14.58 kilometres (9.1 mi) railway tunnel in Norway that connects Oslo
with Lillestrøm
. Being the longest railway tunnel in Norway, the tunnel forms the first half of the Gardermoen Line. It is double track
and electrified
, permitting speeds of 210 kilometres per hour (130.5 mph).
Construction started in 1994, with plans to open along with the rest of the Gardermoen Line and the Oslo Airport, Gardermoen
on 8 October 1998. Due to a major leak from Lutvann
and several other lakes, the tunnel could not open until 22 August 1999. The leakages increased the cost of the tunnel from to NOK 1.8 billion. The main contractor was Scandinavian Rock Group. While the tunnel was originally owned by NSB Gardermobanen
, it is now owned by the Norwegian National Rail Administration. The tunnel allows long-distance, regional and Flytoget
Airport Express Trains to bypass the old Hoved Line, reducing travel time from 29 to 12 minutes.
Gardermoen Line that runs from Oslo to Eidsvoll
via Oslo Airport, Gardermoen. The tunnel covers most of the 18 kilometres (11.2 mi) section between Oslo Central Station and Lillestrøm Station
, and needed to be built to bypass the windy Trunk Line that was built in 1854. Despite the older line having double track, capacity had reached its limit due to a combination of some trains making many stops and others none until Lillestrøm. The Romerike Tunnel would also be straighter and allow higher through speeds, decreasing travel time from 29 to 12 minutes. The decision to build the Gardermoen Line and Romerike Tunnel was taken on by the Parliament of Norway on 8 October 1992, with the opening planned to be six years later on 8 October 1998.
An alternative to the airport at Gardermoen was proposed at Hurum
, south-west of Oslo. Had Hurum been chosen, the Gardermoen Line would not have needed to be built for the airport express train, but the planning documents recommended that construction still proceed to ease traffic north of Oslo. The tunnel is used by all trains on the Gardermoen Line, including the Flytoget airport express trains, and regional and express trains that continue to via the Dovre Line. In addition, local trains north along the Hoved Line and on the Kongsvinger Line use the tunnel. The Hoved Line is limited to freight trains, and commuter trains that make stops along the route.
, Starveien on the Oslo–Lørenskog border, and at Stalsberg outside Lillestrøm.
The tunnel is 14.58 kilometres (9.1 mi) long, with a 105 m² (1,130.2 sq ft) profile, making it the longest tunnel in Norway. It allows speeds of 210 km/h (130.5 mph), with a slope of 0.2–0.4% slanting upwards towards Lillestrøm. This will allow a natural draft towards Lillestrøm, but to be able to force the draft in the opposite direction, a horizontal ventilation system has been installed. This is supplemented with vertical ventilation shafts at Bryn and Starveien. The tunnel is located between 6 metres (19.7 ft) and 120 metres (393.7 ft) below ground, with the lowest being in the area around Bryn. Trains using the tunnel must be capable of a minimum speed of 160 kilometres per hour (99.4 mph) to be permitted through. The tunnel has overhead wires
with 15 kV AC railway electrification .
The tunnel needed to be built under Østmarka
, a recreational area to the east of Oslo. This area had unstable ground, and was not ideal for building tunnels. Time pressures to coincide with the opening of the new airport resulted in tunnel construction being done at maximum speed, without adequate measures to keep out water, resulting in leakages. Houses in Hellerud
, over the route of the tunnel, received damages and the water level in many lakes in Østmarka was reduced, including the lakes Lutvann
and Nordre Puttjern
.
After the damage was discovered on 3 February 1997, sanctions were initiated by the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate
, requiring work to remove the leakages. At the worst, the tunnel leaked 3000 litres (6,340.1 US pt) of water per minute. To plug the holes, the substance Rhoca-Gil
was used. After investigation, it turned out that Rhoca-Gil contained the toxic chemical acrylamide
, which caused health problems among the tunnel workers. Removal of Rhoca-Gil resulted in additional delays in the construction process, while concrete was instead used for plugging leaks. In addition, an extensive, permanent pumping system was installed to recreate and maintain lake levels in Østmarka.
The entire process of fixing the leaks and cleaning up the toxin delayed the process of building the tunnel for one year; the final opening was held on 22 August 1999. The entire process was complicated further due to conflicts between NSB Gardermobanen and the Scandinavian Rock Group. Retrospective surveys showed a lack of control and reporting procedures during the incidents, which should have been addressed in 1995, but had never been taken seriously. Approximately 60 houses received damage and compensation, as a result of the tunnel construction works. An evaluation performed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications
showed that NOK 500 million was spent fixing the leaks; however the report claimed that this was to a large extent a waste of money, resulting from inefficient engineering procedures. The same report criticized the planning and organization of the entire construction of the railway. In total the extraordinary additional costs for the tunnel totaled NOK 1.3 billion.
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
with Lillestrøm
Lillestrøm
' is a city in the municipality of Skedsmo, Akershus, Norway. The municipal administration is located in Lillestrøm.Facilities in Lillestrøm include hotels, Norway trade fairs, a brand new cinema, a mall, Lillestrøm torv, restaurants, a high speed commuter train that reaches both Oslo and...
. Being the longest railway tunnel in Norway, the tunnel forms the first half of the Gardermoen Line. It is double track
Double track
A double track railway usually involves running one track in each direction, compared to a single track railway where trains in both directions share the same track.- Overview :...
and electrified
Railway electrification system
A railway electrification system supplies electrical energy to railway locomotives and multiple units as well as trams so that they can operate without having an on-board prime mover. There are several different electrification systems in use throughout the world...
, permitting speeds of 210 kilometres per hour (130.5 mph).
Construction started in 1994, with plans to open along with the rest of the Gardermoen Line and the Oslo Airport, Gardermoen
Oslo Airport, Gardermoen
Oslo Airport, Gardermoen is the principal airport serving Oslo, Norway. It acts as the main domestic hub and international airport for Norway, and the second-busiest airport in the Nordic countries. A hub for Scandinavian Airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle, and a focus city for Widerøe, it is...
on 8 October 1998. Due to a major leak from Lutvann
Lutvann
Lutvann is a lake in the recreational area Østmarka in Oslo, Norway. It covers an area of 0.39 km², at 205 m elevation.Located just outiside the capital city, it is a popular site for recreation, including swimming and fishing during summer, with brook trout in the lake. In the winter there are ski...
and several other lakes, the tunnel could not open until 22 August 1999. The leakages increased the cost of the tunnel from to NOK 1.8 billion. The main contractor was Scandinavian Rock Group. While the tunnel was originally owned by NSB Gardermobanen
Flytoget
is a Norwegian high-speed airport rail link connecting Oslo Airport, Gardermoen to Oslo Central Station in nineteen minutes. Run by Flytoget AS , it operates on the high-speed Gardermoen Line using sixteen GMB Class 71 electric trains. Normal service frequency is once every ten minutes, with half...
, it is now owned by the Norwegian National Rail Administration. The tunnel allows long-distance, regional and Flytoget
Flytoget
is a Norwegian high-speed airport rail link connecting Oslo Airport, Gardermoen to Oslo Central Station in nineteen minutes. Run by Flytoget AS , it operates on the high-speed Gardermoen Line using sixteen GMB Class 71 electric trains. Normal service frequency is once every ten minutes, with half...
Airport Express Trains to bypass the old Hoved Line, reducing travel time from 29 to 12 minutes.
Background
The tunnel was constructed as part of the high-speedHigh-speed rail
High-speed rail is a type of passenger rail transport that operates significantly faster than the normal speed of rail traffic. Specific definitions by the European Union include for upgraded track and or faster for new track, whilst in the United States, the U.S...
Gardermoen Line that runs from Oslo to Eidsvoll
Eidsvoll
is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. It is part of the Romerike traditional region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Sundet.-Name:...
via Oslo Airport, Gardermoen. The tunnel covers most of the 18 kilometres (11.2 mi) section between Oslo Central Station and Lillestrøm Station
Lillestrøm Station
Lillestrøm Station is a railway station located at Lillestrøm in Skedsmo, Norway. The station serves as the main transportation hub of the eastern parts of Greater Oslo and all trains east of Oslo stop at Lillestrøm...
, and needed to be built to bypass the windy Trunk Line that was built in 1854. Despite the older line having double track, capacity had reached its limit due to a combination of some trains making many stops and others none until Lillestrøm. The Romerike Tunnel would also be straighter and allow higher through speeds, decreasing travel time from 29 to 12 minutes. The decision to build the Gardermoen Line and Romerike Tunnel was taken on by the Parliament of Norway on 8 October 1992, with the opening planned to be six years later on 8 October 1998.
An alternative to the airport at Gardermoen was proposed at Hurum
Hurum
Hurum is a municipality in Buskerud county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village Klokkarstua. The municipality of Hurum was established on 1 January 1838 . The small village of Holmsbu was granted town status in 1847, but it did not become a municipality of its own...
, south-west of Oslo. Had Hurum been chosen, the Gardermoen Line would not have needed to be built for the airport express train, but the planning documents recommended that construction still proceed to ease traffic north of Oslo. The tunnel is used by all trains on the Gardermoen Line, including the Flytoget airport express trains, and regional and express trains that continue to via the Dovre Line. In addition, local trains north along the Hoved Line and on the Kongsvinger Line use the tunnel. The Hoved Line is limited to freight trains, and commuter trains that make stops along the route.
Construction
Construction started in August 1994, after a tender had been won by Scandinavian Rock Group (SRG), a cooperation between Målselv Anlegg, Nor Entreprenør and PEAB. The original contract price was NOK 541 million. In average 388 man-years were employed during construction, and the work involved the removal of 1.62 million tonnes of rock. There were three points of attack (headings), located at BrynBryn, Oslo
Bryn is a residential and industrial area of Oslo, Norway. The Alna River runs through the neighborhood....
, Starveien on the Oslo–Lørenskog border, and at Stalsberg outside Lillestrøm.
The tunnel is 14.58 kilometres (9.1 mi) long, with a 105 m² (1,130.2 sq ft) profile, making it the longest tunnel in Norway. It allows speeds of 210 km/h (130.5 mph), with a slope of 0.2–0.4% slanting upwards towards Lillestrøm. This will allow a natural draft towards Lillestrøm, but to be able to force the draft in the opposite direction, a horizontal ventilation system has been installed. This is supplemented with vertical ventilation shafts at Bryn and Starveien. The tunnel is located between 6 metres (19.7 ft) and 120 metres (393.7 ft) below ground, with the lowest being in the area around Bryn. Trains using the tunnel must be capable of a minimum speed of 160 kilometres per hour (99.4 mph) to be permitted through. The tunnel has overhead wires
Overhead lines
Overhead lines or overhead wires are used to transmit electrical energy to trams, trolleybuses or trains at a distance from the energy supply point...
with 15 kV AC railway electrification .
Leakages
Østmarka
Østmarka is a forested area to the east of Oslo and part of the congregation of woodland areas known as Oslomarka. The area is situated within the municipalities Oslo, Lørenskog, Rælingen, Ski and Enebakk...
, a recreational area to the east of Oslo. This area had unstable ground, and was not ideal for building tunnels. Time pressures to coincide with the opening of the new airport resulted in tunnel construction being done at maximum speed, without adequate measures to keep out water, resulting in leakages. Houses in Hellerud
Hellerud
Hellerud was a borough of the city of Oslo, Norway up to January 1, 2004, when it became part of the new borough of Alna. It is also a traditional neighbourhood located within this area to the south of Tveita and Haugerud and north of Oppsal. It borders on the forest of Østmarka....
, over the route of the tunnel, received damages and the water level in many lakes in Østmarka was reduced, including the lakes Lutvann
Lutvann
Lutvann is a lake in the recreational area Østmarka in Oslo, Norway. It covers an area of 0.39 km², at 205 m elevation.Located just outiside the capital city, it is a popular site for recreation, including swimming and fishing during summer, with brook trout in the lake. In the winter there are ski...
and Nordre Puttjern
Nordre Puttjern
Nordre Puttjern is a lake in Østmarka in Oslo, Norway.The lake was almost entirely dried up in 1997 due to a leak during the construction of the railway tunnel Romeriksporten....
.
After the damage was discovered on 3 February 1997, sanctions were initiated by the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate
Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate
The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate is a Norwegian government agency established in 1921. It is under the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and regulates the country's water resources and energy supply. Its mandate includes contingency planning for floods, serving as a centre of...
, requiring work to remove the leakages. At the worst, the tunnel leaked 3000 litres (6,340.1 US pt) of water per minute. To plug the holes, the substance Rhoca-Gil
Rhoca-Gil
Rhoca-Gil is a type of industrial sealant produced by Rhône-Poulenc, used in the construction of tunnels to block the passage of groundwater into the tunnel...
was used. After investigation, it turned out that Rhoca-Gil contained the toxic chemical acrylamide
Acrylamide
Acrylamide is a chemical compound with the chemical formula C3H5NO. Its IUPAC name is prop-2-enamide. It is a white odourless crystalline solid, soluble in water, ethanol, ether, and chloroform. Acrylamide is incompatible with acids, bases, oxidizing agents, iron, and iron salts...
, which caused health problems among the tunnel workers. Removal of Rhoca-Gil resulted in additional delays in the construction process, while concrete was instead used for plugging leaks. In addition, an extensive, permanent pumping system was installed to recreate and maintain lake levels in Østmarka.
The entire process of fixing the leaks and cleaning up the toxin delayed the process of building the tunnel for one year; the final opening was held on 22 August 1999. The entire process was complicated further due to conflicts between NSB Gardermobanen and the Scandinavian Rock Group. Retrospective surveys showed a lack of control and reporting procedures during the incidents, which should have been addressed in 1995, but had never been taken seriously. Approximately 60 houses received damage and compensation, as a result of the tunnel construction works. An evaluation performed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications
Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications
The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Transportation and Communications is a Norwegian ministry established in 1946, and is responsible for transportation and communication infrastructure in Norway. It is led by Magnhild Meltveit Kleppa...
showed that NOK 500 million was spent fixing the leaks; however the report claimed that this was to a large extent a waste of money, resulting from inefficient engineering procedures. The same report criticized the planning and organization of the entire construction of the railway. In total the extraordinary additional costs for the tunnel totaled NOK 1.3 billion.