Skaugum Tunnel

Skaugum Tunnel
A GMB Class 71 train leaving the tunnel
Overview
LineAsker Line
LocationAsker, Norway
Coordinates59°51′08″N 10°26′36″E / 59.8521°N 10.4433°E / 59.8521; 10.4433
SystemNorwegian railway network
Operation
Opened27 August 2005
OwnerBane NOR
OperatorAirport Express Train
Go-Ahead Norge
Vy
CharacterExpress trains
Technical
Line length3,790 m (2 mi)
No. of tracksDouble
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)
Electrified15 kV  16.7 Hz AC
Operating speed160 km/h (99 mph)

The Skaugum Tunnel (Norwegian: Skaugumtunnelen) is a 3,790-meter (2 mi) long railway tunnel in Asker, Norway, on the Asker Line. The tunnel runs between Asker Station and Solstad and was built as part of the first stage of the Asker Line, between Asker and Sandvika. Construction started in February 2002 and the tunnel opened on 27 August 2005. The tunnel was built by Mika for the Norwegian National Rail Administration using the drilling and blasting method with one crosscut. During construction there was one blasting accident. Since the tunnel opened, there have been problems with leaks damaging the infrastructure. The tunnel has double track, is electrified and allows for a maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour (99 mph). The cost to build the tunnel, excluding the infrastructure, was 450 million Norwegian krone (NOK). The tunnel has accelerated intercity and regional traffic west of Oslo and freed up capacity for the Oslo Commuter Rail on the old Drammen Line.