The Sjøskogen Contract, Vestfold

The Norwegian National Rail Administration is going to build a new double-track rail line on the Norwegian Vestfold Line that will make the stretch from Drammen to Porsgrunn a more effective means of transport which will tie this area with the Oslofjord region and contribute to a more environmentally friendly national transport network. The entire stretch from Holm to Nykirke is divided into 2 partial lots: 5.2 Holm-Holmestrand and 5.3 Holmestrand-Nykirke. The total length of the two partial lots is 14.2 km. 12.3 km of the stretch consists of a double-rail line inside one stretch of tunnel. This stretch is designed for a train speed of 250 km/h. This contract is named "UHN01 Sjøskogenentreprisen" and is a pure tunnelling contract for the route's mid-section for the lot between Holm in the Municipality of Sande and Holmestrand.

The Sjøskogen contract will have a total of 4 km of double track inside a tunnel.

The contract encompasses approximately 4000 metres of the total 12.3 km long double track from Holm to Nykirke. Access for construction vehicles etc. is planned through the gallery tunnel at Sjøskogen, approx. 4 km north of Holmestrand. The contract includes building a new access road off of classified highway RV 313 leading to the gallery and the rigging area (approx. 700m) which will be located in relation to the tunnel entrance.

In addition to the railway tunnel itself, there will also be emergency escape tunnels constructed for every 1000 metres with exits leading above ground.

  • Emergency escape tunnel R3 Bråten: 436 m
  • Emergency escape tunnel R4 /Gallery Sjøskogen: 272 m
  • Emergency escape tunnel R5 Ramberg: 146 m
  • Emergency escape tunnel R6 Tvillingbru: 57 m

With the exception of gallery emergency exit R4, all emergency escape tunnels will be driven from within. A transfer and supply station will be constructed at the intersection between the crosscut (R4) and the main tunnel.

The tunnel's theoretical blasting cross section:

  • Emergency escape tunnels: 24,7 m2
  • Gallery tunnels: 53,1 m2
  • Main tunnel: 133,0 m2

The project has a start date of August 2010 and should be completed by May of 2015.

Facts about the project

Project name

The Sjøskogen Contract, Vestfold

Emoployer

The National Rail Administration

Type of project

Road and tunnel

Location

Holmestrand

Contract period

August 2010 - May 2015

Form of contract

Unit Price Contract

Value

NOK 609 millioner

Description of the project

The contract encompasses approximately 4000 metres of the total 12.3 km long double track from Holm to Nykirke.

In addition to the railway tunnel itself, there will also be emergency escape tunnels constructed for every 1000 metres with exits leading above ground.

  • Emergency escape tunnel R3 Bråten: 436 m
  • Emergency escape tunnel R4 /Gallery Sjøskogen: 272 m
  • Emergency escape tunnel R5 Ramberg: 146 m
  • Emergency escape tunnel R6 Tvillingbru: 57 m