Tanum Tunnel

Tanum Tunnel
Overview
LineAsker Line
LocationAsker and Bærum, Norway
Coordinates59°52′49″N 10°28′40″E / 59.8804°N 10.4777°E / 59.8804; 10.4777
SystemNorwegian railway network
StartJong, Bærum
EndÅrstad, Asker
Operation
Opened27 August 2005
OwnerBane NOR
OperatorAirport Express Train
Go-Ahead Norge
Vy
CharacterExpress trains
Technical
Line length3,590 m (2.23 mi)
No. of tracksDouble
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)
Electrified15 kV  16.7 Hz AC
Operating speed160 km/h (100 mph)

Tanum Tunnel (Norwegian: Tanumtunnelen) is 3,590-meter-long (2.23 mi) double-track railway tunnel on the Asker Line, between Jong in Bærum and Åstad in Asker, Norway. It 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 AF Gruppen for the Norwegian National Rail Administration. Most of the tunneling was conducted using the drilling and blasting method, although the easternmost 800 meters (2,600 ft) were built using the cut-and-cover method. After the tunnel opened, there have been problems with leaks damaging the superstructure. The tunnel has double track, is electrified and allows for a maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour (100 mph). The cost to build the tunnel, excluding the superstructure, was 370 million Norwegian krone (NOK). The tunnel will accelerate intercity and regional traffic west of Oslo and free up capacity for the Oslo Commuter Rail on the Drammen Line.