The Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) says it is ready to build the Stad Ship Tunnel.
The organisation announced on Monday that it is ready to sign a contract with a contractor and move forward with the project.
The announcement follows the news on Sunday that the centre-left parties had reached an agreement on the revised national budget, which includes funding for the start of the tunnel’s construction. The budget is scheduled for final approval by the Norwegian Parliament by June 19.
“We have received the news regarding the ship tunnel. We are ready to initiate the processes needed to facilitate a construction start in the beginning of 2027,” said NCA director-general Einar Vik Arset.
The NCA has evaluated the bids submitted by the three consortiums competing for the main construction contract. At the same time, several other contracts are ready to be tendered, including a demolition contract for buildings that must be removed near the tunnel site and a contract for new water pipelines on both sides of the tunnel.
“This is a major project, but we have prepared thoroughly over several years. We are ready as soon as we receive instructions from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries,” said Arset.
The tender competition for the main contract has been ongoing for nearly two years. In April, the NCA received final bids from AF Gruppen, Eiffage Génie Civil, and the Skanska/Vassbakk & Stol consortium.
In October last year, construction of the Stad Ship Tunnel appeared in jeopardy as the project awaited budget approval by parliament. The project was given a reprieve, however, when a majority in parliament asked the government to allow the NCA to continue negotiations with the three bidders.
The Stad Ship Tunnel aims to improve the navigability and safety of maritime transport around Stad, probably the most weather-exposed and dangerous stretch of sea along the Norwegian coast.
