Norway will build the world's first ship tunnel on the Western Stad peninsula to facilitate freight and passenger ship navigation in avoiding a dangerous coastal area, according to the Norwegian Coastal Administration.
The 1700-meter-long, 37-meter-wide and 26.5-meter-tall tunnel will pass through the narrowest part of the Stad Peninsula, allowing freight and passenger ships to bypass the Stadhavet Sea, which is the most exposed and most dangerous area along the coast of Norway, according to the administration.
A ship tunnel will reduce the risk of incidents and accidents, making the voyage safer for both passengers and freight, as well as securing regularity. It will also strengthen industrial and commercial activities in the region, the administration said in a report posted on its website.
To create it engineers will have to blast out a huge eight million tons of rock, which will be used in the neighboring municipalities to establish new landmass and expand existing areas for business purposes.
After completion, commercial traffic -- especially passenger traffic -- will be given priority to pass through the tunnel, the administration said, adding that leisure boats and other vessels can also use the tunnel.
The tunnel is expected to open in 2023.
