Storfjord Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Storfjord Bridge is a proposed suspension bridge
that would span Storfjorden
in Sunnmøre
, Norway
. If built, it would be 3600 metres (11,811 ft) long and have a main span of 2300 metres (7,545.9 ft). This would make it the longest spanned bridge in the world, easily surpassing the Akashi-Kaikyō Bridge, which has a main span of 1991 metres (6,532.2 ft). The plans have been developed by Aas-Jakobsen
for a Storfjordsambandet, a company which aims to toll finance the bridge. According to Rolf M. Larssen of Aas-Jakobsen, there is a larger challenge securing sufficient funding than technically building the bridge. It is estimated to cost 4.3 billion Norwegian krone
.
In a report made by Aas-Jakobsen, two crossings were discussed, one slightly in-fjord from the ferry and one which would cross to Ørskog
. The bridge would have a single main cable and a split bridge beam. The cable would run down the centre of the bridge, with the lanes on each side of an open area with cross-sections. While this method is more expensive, it allows for a more aerodynamic bridge. The bridge would have two pylons, with the road lanes crossing on the outside of the pylons. Each pylon would be 320 metres (1,049.9 ft) tall. The pylons would be round with a diameter of between 20 and 40 m (65.6 and 131.2 ). The northern pylon would be anchored in bedrock, while the southern pylon would be anchored in a caisson
in bedrock, located 25 metres (82 ft) below mean sea level. The distance between the middle of the lanes would be 41 metres (134.5 ft) at the pylons, and 15 metres (49.2 ft) at the middle of the bridge. The main cable would be 315 metres (1,033.5 ft) above the sea at the pylons and 90 metres (295.3 ft) above the sea at the middle. The bridge allows a clearance below of 70 metres (229.7 ft), 500 metres (1,640.4 ft) wide.
The crossing would establish a fixed link for Sykkylven
and Stranda
towards Ålesund
. The service is currently operated by the Ørsneset–Magerholm Ferry on National Road 60, which had an average daily traffic of 1967 cars and 175 in 2009, making it the fifth-most trafficked ferry service in Norway. Former proposals for the crossing has included a submerged floating tunnel and a pontoon bridge
, although both have since been discarded. The design is part of a project initiated by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration
to develop extreme technology which would make it possible to make E39, the Coastal Highway, ferry free.
Suspension bridge
A suspension bridge is a type of bridge in which the deck is hung below suspension cables on vertical suspenders. Outside Tibet and Bhutan, where the first examples of this type of bridge were built in the 15th century, this type of bridge dates from the early 19th century...
that would span Storfjorden
Storfjord (fjord)
The Storfjord is a fjord in the Sunnmøre region, stretching from Hareid in the west to Tafjord and Geiranger east in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. The Storfjord system includes the famous Geirangerfjord and Tafjorden, at small village of Stranda it branches off into...
in Sunnmøre
Sunnmøre
Sunnmøre is the southernmost traditional district of the western Norwegian county of Møre og Romsdal. Its main city is Ålesund. The region comprises the municipalities of Giske, Hareid, Herøy, Norddal, Sande, Skodje, Haram, Stordal, Stranda, Sula, Sykkylven, Ulstein, Vanylven, Volda, Ørskog,...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. If built, it would be 3600 metres (11,811 ft) long and have a main span of 2300 metres (7,545.9 ft). This would make it the longest spanned bridge in the world, easily surpassing the Akashi-Kaikyō Bridge, which has a main span of 1991 metres (6,532.2 ft). The plans have been developed by Aas-Jakobsen
Aas-Jakobsen
Dr. ing. A. Aas-Jakobsen AS, trading as Aas-Jakobsen, is a civil engineering consultant company specializing in structural engineering. The company is based in Oslo, Norway, and primarily works with bridges, roads, railways, offshore oil and buildings. The company has 250 employees. The company was...
for a Storfjordsambandet, a company which aims to toll finance the bridge. According to Rolf M. Larssen of Aas-Jakobsen, there is a larger challenge securing sufficient funding than technically building the bridge. It is estimated to cost 4.3 billion Norwegian krone
Norwegian krone
The krone is the currency of Norway and its dependent territories. The plural form is kroner . It is subdivided into 100 øre. The ISO 4217 code is NOK, although the common local abbreviation is kr. The name translates into English as "crown"...
.
In a report made by Aas-Jakobsen, two crossings were discussed, one slightly in-fjord from the ferry and one which would cross to Ørskog
Ørskog
Ørskog is a municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It is part of the Sunnmøre region. The administrative centre is the village of Sjøholt. European Route E39 and European Route E136 runs through the municipality, connecting the towns of Ålesund and Molde.-General information:Ørskog was...
. The bridge would have a single main cable and a split bridge beam. The cable would run down the centre of the bridge, with the lanes on each side of an open area with cross-sections. While this method is more expensive, it allows for a more aerodynamic bridge. The bridge would have two pylons, with the road lanes crossing on the outside of the pylons. Each pylon would be 320 metres (1,049.9 ft) tall. The pylons would be round with a diameter of between 20 and 40 m (65.6 and 131.2 ). The northern pylon would be anchored in bedrock, while the southern pylon would be anchored in a caisson
Caisson (engineering)
In geotechnical engineering, a caisson is a retaining, watertight structure used, for example, to work on the foundations of a bridge pier, for the construction of a concrete dam, or for the repair of ships. These are constructed such that the water can be pumped out, keeping the working...
in bedrock, located 25 metres (82 ft) below mean sea level. The distance between the middle of the lanes would be 41 metres (134.5 ft) at the pylons, and 15 metres (49.2 ft) at the middle of the bridge. The main cable would be 315 metres (1,033.5 ft) above the sea at the pylons and 90 metres (295.3 ft) above the sea at the middle. The bridge allows a clearance below of 70 metres (229.7 ft), 500 metres (1,640.4 ft) wide.
The crossing would establish a fixed link for Sykkylven
Sykkylven
Sykkylven is a municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It is part of the Sunnmøre region. The administrative centre is the village of Aure. Other villages include Ikornnes, Straumgjerde, and Tusvik.-General information:...
and Stranda
Stranda
Stranda is a municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It is part of the Sunnmøre region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Stranda....
towards Ålesund
Ålesund
is a town and municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It is part of the traditional district of Sunnmøre, and the center of the Ålesund Region. It is a sea port, and is noted for its unique concentration of Art Nouveau architecture....
. The service is currently operated by the Ørsneset–Magerholm Ferry on National Road 60, which had an average daily traffic of 1967 cars and 175 in 2009, making it the fifth-most trafficked ferry service in Norway. Former proposals for the crossing has included a submerged floating tunnel and a pontoon bridge
Pontoon bridge
A pontoon bridge or floating bridge is a bridge that floats on water and in which barge- or boat-like pontoons support the bridge deck and its dynamic loads. While pontoon bridges are usually temporary structures, some are used for long periods of time...
, although both have since been discarded. The design is part of a project initiated by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration
Norwegian Public Roads Administration
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration is a Norwegian government agency responsible for the state and county public roads in the country. This includes planning, construction and operation of the state and county road networks, driver training and licensing, vehicle inspection and subsidies to...
to develop extreme technology which would make it possible to make E39, the Coastal Highway, ferry free.