Construction is due to start this month in Norway on a 3.5km long, 60m2 tunnel that is being built to provide protection against avalanches on the Teigen to Bogen stretch of the E39 in Vadheim, Høyanger. Norwegian contractor, Veidekke ASA will use drill and blast as the preferred method of advance through the hard rock granite and quartz, on the US$15.4M project. The contractor saw off competing bids from four rival firms, Selmer Skanska, AF/SRG, Kruse Betong and NCC to win the contract awarded by the country’s Public Roads Department. The new stretch of road will be partly financed as a toll-road project and is scheduled for completion by the 30th June 2004.
