Ryfast, sub-sea tunnel system in Norway
Ryfast is a tunnel system in Norway that runs beneath the sea in Rogaland county, connecting the city of Stavanger to Solbakk in Strand municipality. The system consists of three tunnels: the main Ryfylke Tunnel stretching over 14 kilometers, the Hundvåg Tunnel at approximately 5.5 kilometers, and the Eiganes Tunnel at roughly 3.7 kilometers, all forming part of National Road 13.
The project was approved by the Norwegian Parliament in June 2012, with construction beginning in 2013. The Ryfylke Tunnel opened on December 30, 2019, while the remaining tunnel sections followed by April 2020, replacing the previous ferry service that connected Stavanger and Tau.
The tunnels are accessed from Stavanger via the E39 and from Solbakk via Road 523. The journey takes about 15 minutes, significantly faster than the previous ferry crossing, with toll fees varying by vehicle size and AutoPass card discounts available for regular users.
The Ryfylke Tunnel descends to nearly 300 meters, making it the deepest road tunnel in the world, and was the longest underwater road tunnel when completed in 2017. Inside the tunnel, a large viewing chamber called Beyond Breath uses lighting effects and open design to create a more comfortable driving experience for travelers.
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