Image: Plan Arkitekter
The new estimate of US$1.7 billion is US$226 million lower than earlier estimates and the uncertainty has also reduced from 25% to 10% because the plans have become more detailed and more is known about soil conditions, wind conditions and technical solutions.
Experience from other projects including the Hålogaland Bridge, Hardanger Bridge and Solbakk tunnel has been used to feed into the estimate.
The Norwegian government will consider the project as part of the next National Transport Plan (2018-2029) which will go to the parliament for approval in June 2017.
The roads authority is well under way with planning the major part of the E39 between Aalesund and Molde, in line with the Government's ambition the E39 to be ferry-free by 2035. The crossing of Romsdalsfjorden was the greatest uncertainty for the total cost of E39 Ålesund-Molde - it involves construction of a suspension bridge with total length 2010m and a main span of 1,625m, and a 14km-long tunnel. Construction is expected to take five or six years.
