Tromsøbrua connects the island of Tromsøya to the mainland at Tromsdalen. When it opened on 3 July 1960, it was the longest bridge in northern Europe at 1,036 metres. Construction started in 1958 and cost 14.5 million kroner.
Before the bridge, the only way across was a ferry. The municipal transport company was literally called Tromsøya Buss- og Ferjeselskap, the Bus and Ferry Company. When the bridge opened, the ferries were withdrawn and the company renamed itself Tromsbuss. The bridge changed Tromsø fundamentally by opening up the mainland side for expansion. Tromsdalen grew from a small settlement to a major residential area.
The bridge has 58 spans, with the longest at 80 metres, and a clearance of 38 metres above the water. It was designed by architect Erling Viksjø. By the 1990s, the single bridge could no longer handle the traffic, so the Tromsøysund Tunnel was built as a second connection underneath the strait.
Together with the Arctic Cathedral on the mainland end, the bridge forms the classic Tromsø postcard image. The view from the waterfront on Tromsøya is best in evening light.
Before the bridge, the only way across was a ferry. The municipal transport company was literally called Tromsøya Buss- og Ferjeselskap, the Bus and Ferry Company. When the bridge opened, the ferries were withdrawn and the company renamed itself Tromsbuss. The bridge changed Tromsø fundamentally by opening up the mainland side for expansion. Tromsdalen grew from a small settlement to a major residential area.
The bridge has 58 spans, with the longest at 80 metres, and a clearance of 38 metres above the water. It was designed by architect Erling Viksjø. By the 1990s, the single bridge could no longer handle the traffic, so the Tromsøysund Tunnel was built as a second connection underneath the strait.
Together with the Arctic Cathedral on the mainland end, the bridge forms the classic Tromsø postcard image. The view from the waterfront on Tromsøya is best in evening light.