The Eiksundtunnelen connects the islands of Hareidlandet to the mainland at Ørsta, running under the Vartdalsfjorden. At 7,765 metres long and 287 metres below sea level at its deepest point, it was the world's deepest undersea road tunnel from its opening in February 2008 until the Ryfast tunnel near Stavanger took the record in 2019.
The tunnel was opened by King Harald V and Queen Sonja in front of 5,800 guests. It replaced the old ferry connection and linked six municipalities with over 40,000 inhabitants to the mainland. The construction used over 1,300 tonnes of explosives to blast through the rock. The maximum gradient is 9.6%, which is steep enough that some drivers find it uncomfortable. There is a third crawling lane for heavy vehicles on the steepest sections.
On 28 June 2009, a car with four young men was travelling at an estimated 150 to 200 kilometres per hour, more than double the 80 km/h speed limit. The car hit the tunnel wall, flipped, and crashed into an oncoming vehicle. Five people died. An average speed trap has since been installed. Keep to the speed limit.
The tolls were removed in 2014 after the construction cost of around 500 million kroner was paid off in just six years.
The tunnel was opened by King Harald V and Queen Sonja in front of 5,800 guests. It replaced the old ferry connection and linked six municipalities with over 40,000 inhabitants to the mainland. The construction used over 1,300 tonnes of explosives to blast through the rock. The maximum gradient is 9.6%, which is steep enough that some drivers find it uncomfortable. There is a third crawling lane for heavy vehicles on the steepest sections.
On 28 June 2009, a car with four young men was travelling at an estimated 150 to 200 kilometres per hour, more than double the 80 km/h speed limit. The car hit the tunnel wall, flipped, and crashed into an oncoming vehicle. Five people died. An average speed trap has since been installed. Keep to the speed limit.
The tolls were removed in 2014 after the construction cost of around 500 million kroner was paid off in just six years.