The 1,700 meter long tunnel will cross the base of the Stad Peninsula in western Norway. In this place, the sea, the so-called Stadhave, storms from 45 to 106 days a year, while the features of the bottom topography and currents here cause large waves traveling in different directions, and even with better weather, strong waves persist for several more days. Such conditions significantly complicate navigation, making this part of the Norwegian coast one of the most dangerous.
The tunnel will help solve these problems, and if implemented, it will become the world's first "full-size" tunnel for ships. So, it can be used by ships of the size of a ferry
line "Hurtigruten". The Snøhetta bureau designed the entrance zones of the tunnel, and from the Moldefjord side above these "gates" there is a bridge for cars, from which it will be possible to observe how ships enter and leave from under the mountains.
It is assumed that the traffic will be controlled by dispatchers, and the captains will book a specific time for passage through the tunnel (about 10 minutes). The use of the tunnel will be free, with passenger and cargo ships receiving priority. For ships longer than 70 m, a pilot will be provided without fail.
The project budget will amount to NOK 2.7 billion: if the parliament approves the plan, then construction can begin in 2019 and be completed in 2023. During the work, it is planned to extract 3 million cubic meters of rock (equivalent to 8 million tons): it will be used to create fill-up areas in coastal settlements near the tunnel.
