Skanska Awarded NOK 1.6 Billion Contract to Upgrade Norway’s Lærdal Tunnel
Skanska has signed a major contract with the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen) to upgrade the E16 Lærdal Tunnel in Norway. Valued at approximately NOK 1.6 billion, equivalent to around SEK 1.5 billion, the contract represents a significant infrastructure project for Skanska and will be included in the company’s Nordic order bookings for the third quarter of 2026.
The project involves extensive rehabilitation and modernization work at the Lærdal Tunnel, which is the world’s longest road tunnel at 24.5 kilometres. The tunnel forms an important part of Norway’s road network and provides a critical transport connection between eastern and western parts of the country.
The planned improvements will focus on strengthening safety, reliability and technical infrastructure within the tunnel. Once completed, the upgrades are expected to support continued efficient and dependable traffic movement along the E16 route between Oslo and Bergen.
Major Infrastructure Upgrade
Opened in 2000, the Lærdal Tunnel is a strategically important component of Norway’s transport infrastructure. Its length and location make reliable operation essential for road users and freight transportation travelling between the country’s eastern and western regions.
Under the new contract, Skanska will undertake extensive rehabilitation works together with upgrades to the tunnel’s technical and safety systems. The improvements are intended to modernize key infrastructure and ensure the tunnel continues to meet the requirements of a major transport corridor.
The scope includes work on technical installations and safety-related systems, which are essential for maintaining safe and reliable tunnel operations. Modern tunnel infrastructure relies on a wide range of integrated systems to manage traffic, communication, lighting, ventilation, emergency response and other operational requirements.
Upgrading these systems in an existing tunnel presents significant technical and logistical challenges. Contractors must carry out construction activities while maintaining safe access for road users and minimizing disruption to traffic.
Construction While Tunnel Remains in Use
One of the key challenges of the project will be delivering the work while the tunnel remains largely open to traffic.
The Lærdal Tunnel carries regular traffic and serves as an important connection between Oslo and Bergen. As a result, construction activities will require careful planning, sequencing and coordination to protect workers and road users while allowing traffic to continue moving through the tunnel.
Working within a 24.5-kilometre tunnel also creates complex logistical requirements. Construction teams must coordinate the movement of equipment and materials, manage work zones and maintain access to critical infrastructure throughout the rehabilitation process.
The project will therefore require Skanska to develop detailed construction plans that balance productivity with safety and traffic management. Work will need to be carefully scheduled so that individual sections and technical systems can be upgraded without unnecessarily affecting the operation of the entire tunnel.
Improving Safety and Reliability
Safety is a central objective of the Lærdal Tunnel upgrade. As one of Norway’s most important long-distance road tunnels, the facility requires reliable technical and safety systems to support daily operations and respond effectively to potential incidents.
Modernizing these systems can improve the tunnel’s ability to manage traffic and emergency situations while enhancing operational reliability.
The project will also help extend the useful life of the tunnel’s infrastructure. Rehabilitation and modernization work can reduce the need for major future interventions while ensuring critical systems remain suitable for continued operation.
For the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, the investment represents an important step in maintaining and improving a major national transport asset.
Supporting the Oslo-Bergen Transport Corridor
The E16 is an important road connection linking eastern and western Norway. The Lærdal Tunnel is a key element of this route, providing a dependable passage through mountainous terrain.
The tunnel helps maintain year-round connectivity between the regions and supports both passenger and commercial traffic. Its continued availability is particularly important for freight transportation and regional economic activity.
Improving the tunnel’s technical and safety infrastructure will contribute to the long-term reliability of the E16 corridor. A modernized tunnel can help reduce operational risks and provide road users with a safer and more dependable transport route.
The project also highlights the importance of maintaining existing infrastructure as transportation networks age. Rather than relying solely on new road construction, infrastructure authorities are increasingly investing in rehabilitation, modernization and technological upgrades to extend the service life of critical assets.
Project Timeline
Construction is scheduled to begin in November 2026. Skanska will then undertake the planned rehabilitation and technical upgrades over the following years, with project completion expected in 2029.
The multi-year construction schedule reflects the scale and complexity of working within one of the world’s longest road tunnels. Maintaining traffic while simultaneously upgrading infrastructure will require continuous coordination between Skanska, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and other stakeholders.
The project is also expected to generate significant activity across the construction and infrastructure supply chain as specialist teams work on civil rehabilitation, technical systems and safety-related installations.
Strengthening Skanska’s Nordic Infrastructure Portfolio
The NOK 1.6 billion contract adds another major infrastructure project to Skanska’s Nordic portfolio and reinforces the company’s role in delivering complex transportation infrastructure.
For Skanska, the Lærdal Tunnel project combines several areas of expertise, including tunnel rehabilitation, technical infrastructure, construction planning, safety management and work in operational transportation environments.
The successful delivery of the project will require a strong focus on safety, quality and coordination throughout the construction period.
Once completed in 2029, the upgraded Lærdal Tunnel is expected to provide improved safety and reliability for road users while supporting efficient traffic flow between eastern and western Norway.
The investment demonstrates Norway’s continued focus on maintaining critical transportation infrastructure and ensuring that major road corridors remain safe, reliable and operational for decades to come.
Source Link:https://www.skanska.com/
