Norwegian road and rail project awarded

Norway's Public Roads Administration and the National Rail Administration have awarded a road and rail contract worth NOK1.6 billion (€210 million) to German contractor Hochtief (40%) and Norwegian contractor Veidekke (60%).

The contract forms part of the E6-Dovrebanen project, which has been divided into three subsections.

In its entirety, the E6-Dovrebanen project involves building 21.5km of four-lane motorway and 16.8km of dual-track railway between Brøhaug and Strandlykkja, alongside Norway's largest lake, Lake Mjøsa.

The joint venture contract is for the middle section of the project and involves building 5.6km of four-lane motorway, including the 2.3km Morskog tunnel, as well as 6.8km of dual-track railway, including the 3.9km Ulvin tunnel and 200m Morstua tunnel. In addition, a 6km pedestrial and cycle path will be built.

Construction is scheduled to start in April, and the new road is planned for completion in October 2014, while the dual-track railway is scheduled for completion in the autumn of 2015.