The Storfjord Bridge (Norwegian: Storfjordbrua) is a proposed suspension bridge intended to span the Storfjorden in the Sunnmøre region of Norway. If constructed, the bridge would have a total length of approximately 3.6 km (11,800 ft) with a main span of 2.3 km (7,500 ft), which would make it the longest‑spanned suspension bridge in the world, surpassing the Çanakkale Bridge’s 2.023 km main span【1†L4-L9】.
Design and Specifications
- Type: Suspension bridge with a single main cable and a split bridge beam.
- Pylons: Two cylindrical pylons, each about 320 m (1,050 ft) high, with diameters ranging from 20 m to 40 m. The northern pylon would be anchored directly in bedrock, while the southern pylon would rest on a caisson anchored 25 m (82 ft) below mean sea level.
- Cable and Deck: The main cable would be positioned 315 m (1,033 ft) above sea level at the pylons and 90 m (300 ft) at mid‑span. Road lanes would run on the outer sides of the pylons, leaving an open central area for aerodynamic stability.
- Clearance: A vertical clearance of 70 m (230 ft) below the bridge and a horizontal clearance of 500 m (1,600 ft).
- Dimensions: The distance between the centrelines of the traffic lanes would be 41 m (135 ft) at the pylons and 15 m (49 ft) at mid‑span.
Project Background
The bridge concept was developed by engineering firm Aas‑Jakobsen on behalf of Storfjordsambandet, a company that intends to finance the structure through tolls. The estimated construction cost is 4.3 billion Norwegian kroner (NOK)【1†L13-L16】.
Historically, the crossing has been served by the Ørsneset–Magerholm ferry on National Road 60, which recorded an average daily traffic of 1,967 cars in 2009【1†L30-L33】. Earlier proposals for a fixed link included a submerged floating tunnel and a pontoon bridge, but these options were later abandoned in favor of the suspension‑bridge design【1†L35-L38】.
The Storfjord Bridge is part of a broader initiative by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration to eliminate ferry crossings along European route E39, the coastal highway, by employing “extreme technology” solutions. However, the administration has also indicated a preference for constructing an alternative crossing, the Sulafjord Bridge, further west【1†L40-L44】.
Current Status
As of the latest publicly available information, the primary obstacle to advancing the Storfjord Bridge project is securing sufficient financing; the technical feasibility is considered established. No construction contracts have been awarded, and the project remains in the planning and feasibility stage.
References
- “Storfjord Bridge.” Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storfjord_Bridge (accessed 2026‑04‑18).