The longest road tunnel in the world - Lerdalsky (Norwegian) Lærdalstunnelen) - connects the municipalities of Laerdal and Auruland in Norway, stretching for 24,509 meters under the mountain range. This is not just an engineering structure, but a unique object with a lighting system, ventilation and even special “caves” for rest of drivers, designed to combat monotony and fatigue behind the wheel. The tunnel has been open to traffic since 2000 and remains unsurpassed in length among road tunnels, surpassing its closest competitor - Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland - 3.5 km.
Driving through the Lärdal tunnel takes about 20 minutes, subject to the speed limit (maximum 80 km/h), but requires special preparation: stopping, turning and reversing are prohibited here, and cameras record violations. Engineers took into account the psychological factor - the monotony of a long drive in a confined space - and developed a dynamic lighting system that simulates a sunrise, and also equipped three recreation areas with caves where drivers can stop for a short rest.
Where is it and how to get to the Lärdal Tunnel
The tunnel is located on the European route E16, connecting Oslo and Bergen - the two largest cities in Norway. Exact coordinates of the entrance from the eastern side (from Laerdal): 61.0653° N, 7.5347° E, from the west (from Auruland): 61.0756° N, 7.3061° E. You can get there:
- 🚗 By car: via E16 from Oslo (≈3.5 hours) or Bergen (≈2 hours). The route passes through picturesque fjords and mountain passes.
- ✈️ By plane: nearest airports — Sogndal (70 km) and Bergen (150 km), from where the tunnel can be reached by rented car or bus.
- 🚌 By public transport: company buses Nor-Way Bussekspress follow the Oslo-Bergen route with stops at Laerdal.
Important: driving through the tunnel paid for cars weighing over 3.5 tons (the tariff depends on the category of transport), but for passenger cars no payment is charged. You can pay for travel on the website Norwegian Road Administration or via mobile application AutoPASS.
Technical characteristics: how the record holder is built
Construction of the tunnel took 5 years (1995-2000) and cost NOK 1.1 billion (≈$150 million at the exchange rate of that time). Engineers used the latest technologies at that time:
- 🔨 Drilling and blasting method: the tunnel was punched from both sides simultaneously using controlled explosions and drilling machines Atlas Copco.
- 🌬️ Ventilation system: 18 powerful fans provide fresh air supply and exhaust gas removal. The air is renewed every 2-3 minutes.
- 💡 Lighting: Dimmable LED panels mimic natural light to prevent eye fatigue.
- 🚧 Security: Emergency telephones, fire extinguishers and shelter niches are installed every 500 meters.
| Parameter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Length | 24,509 m |
| Maximum depth under the mountain | 1,050 m |
| Roadway width | 7.5 m (2 stripes) |
| Arch height | 4.5-5 m |
| Temperature inside | +8…+10°C all year round |
Interesting fact: during construction it was extracted 2.5 million m³ of rock - this would be enough to fill 10 Luzhniki stadiums. To prevent collapses, the tunnel walls are reinforced with 230 thousand steel anchors and covered with a 30 cm thick layer of concrete.
How the tunnel affected the region's economy
Before the opening of the Laerdal Tunnel, the journey between Laerdal and Auruland took 4-5 hours due to mountain serpentines and ferry crossings. After 2000, travel time was reduced to 20 minutes, which stimulated the development of tourism (the flow of visitors increased by 30%) and trade. Local farmers gained access to new markets - for example, the delivery time for milk to processing plants decreased from 6 to 2 hours.
Driving rules: what the driver needs to know
The Laerdal Tunnel is not an ordinary road, but an object with strict rules. Violation of these may result in a fine of up to NOK 8,000 (≈$750):
⚠️ Attention: in the tunnel prohibited stopping outside rest areas, turning around, reversing, or driving at a speed below 50 km/h without a valid reason. Cameras record all violations.
- 🚦 Speed mode: maximum 80 km/h, minimum 50 km/h. Recommended speed is 60 km/h.
- 🚧 Distance: at least 50 meters to the vehicle in front.
- 💡 Headlights: Low beam is required even during the day. High beams are prohibited.
- 📵 Communication: Mobile communication works, but in emergency situations you need to call the telephones installed every 500 m.
Advice for drivers: if you feel tired, use recreation areas (located at 6, 12 and 18 km). They are equipped with caves with blue and yellow lights, creating the illusion of open space. Parking time is no more than 15 minutes.
☑️ Preparing for a trip through the Lerdal tunnel
Safety: what to do in an emergency
In 20 years of operation, the tunnel has not had a single serious accident, but safety rules remain strict. In case of emergency:
- Turn it on immediately alarm and pull over to the side of the road.
- If possible, leave the vehicle and go to the nearest emergency niche (indicated by green signs).
- Use fire hydrant (located every 125 m) or fire extinguisher (every 250 m).
- Follow the directions for speakerphone or light board.
⚠️ Attention: in the tunnel no mobile coverage for emergency calls - use emergency telephones (red boxes every 500 m). They connect directly to the control room.
The security system includes:
- 🔥 Smoke and temperature sensors: triggered at the slightest sign of fire.
- 📹 Video surveillance: 120 cameras transmit images to the control room 24/7.
- 🚒 Emergency exits: leads to a parallel service tunnel through which you can evacuate.
If you're driving an electric car, be aware that there are no charging stations in the tunnel. Calculate the range taking into account the slopes before entering (up to 6% incline) and the heating on (energy consumption increases by 20-30%).
Interesting facts: what is the record holder hiding?
The Lärdal Tunnel is not only an engineering miracle, but also an object with a unique history:
- 🎨 Decoration: The walls in the seating areas are painted by artists depicting Norwegian landscapes. This is done to relieve drivers psychologically.
- 🐭 Animal builders: during work, a colony of lemurs (rodents) settled in the tunnel and had to be relocated.
- 🌍 Ecology: construction reduced CO₂ emissions by 15 thousand tons per year by reducing vehicle mileage.
- 🚇 Alternative projects: the option of a railway tunnel was initially considered, but it turned out to be 3 times more expensive.
Few people know what is in the tunnel secret room — a service room at a depth of 1 km, where backup generators and equipment for repair work are stored. Only employees have access there Statens Vegvesen (Norwegian Road Administration).
The Lärdal Tunnel is the only one in the world that uses “rest caves” with artistic lighting and soundproofing to combat monotony.
Alternative routes: if the tunnel is closed
The Laerdal tunnel is closed extremely rarely (on average 2-3 hours a year for maintenance), but in such cases there are workarounds:
| Route | Length | Travel time | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Via Fillefjellet (Route 53) | 120 km | 2.5-3 hours | Mountain serpentine with sharp turns, chains required in winter |
| Ferry Lavdalen-Mannhellen + route 5 | 90 km | 2 hours (including ferry) | The ferry runs every 30 minutes, cost ≈$20 |
| Via Sogndal (E39 highway) | 150 km | 3-3.5 hours | Safer but longer route with fjords |
Before traveling, check the tunnel status on the website Vegvesen or in the app 175 (Norwegian Road Information Service). Closures are usually announced 24 hours in advance.
Tourism: what to see near the tunnel
The region around the Laerdal Tunnel is rich in attractions:
- 🏔️ Jotunheimen National Park: 1,150 km² of wilderness with glaciers and peaks higher than 2 km.
- ⛪ Stave church Borgund (13th century): one of the best preserved staves in Norway.
- 🚂 Flåm Railway: one of the most beautiful railway lines in the world (60 km, 20 tunnels).
- 🏞️ Fjord Sogne: the largest in Norway (204 km in length), listed by UNESCO.
Tip: If you are traveling from Oslo to Bergen, plan to stop at Lavdalene — there is a tunnel museum here (Lærdalstunelen Visitor Centre), where you can see a model of the structure and learn about its construction.
Life hack for photographers
The best place to take photos of the tunnel is the observation deck at the eastern entrance (coordinates: 61.0661°N, 7.5356°E). The optimal time is early morning, when the sun illuminates the mountains and traffic is minimal. Use a wide-angle lens (16-24mm) to capture the scale of the structure.
FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions
❓ How much does it cost to travel through the Lerdal tunnel for a car?
For passenger cars (weighing up to 3.5 tons) travel free. Payment is charged only for trucks and buses (tariffs - on the website Vegvesen).
❓ Is it possible to travel through the tunnel on a bicycle or motorcycle?
Directions to Bicycles are prohibited for security reasons. Motorcycles are allowed, but drivers must follow the same rules as motorists (including speed limits and distance).
❓ Are there toilets or cafes in the tunnel?
No, there are no toilets or food outlets in the tunnel. The nearest cafes and gas stations are located in Laerdale (east entrance) and Auruland (west entrance).
❓ How does a GPS navigator behave in a tunnel?
In most cases, navigators (Google Maps, Waze) work fine, since the tunnel is mapped. However no mobile signal, so download offline maps in advance.
❓ Are there traffic jams in the tunnel?
Traffic jams are extremely rare, but are possible during peak tourist seasons (July-August) or in case of accidents. Average throughput is 1,000 cars per hour. In case of congestion, the traffic control system with reversible lanes is activated.