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Arup signs framework for Norway’s E39 Stord-Os project

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Zaida Espana Zaida España Europe Press Office
2 October 2020

Arup has signed a framework agreement with Norway’s public roads administration to provide quality assurance services on two bridges between Stord and Os, part of the country’s E39 Coastal Highway project.

Designed to halve travel time between Bergen and Stavanger to two hours, the Stord-Os highway will improve living and working conditions locally. Building on our relationship with Statens Vegvesen, Arup will provide independent verification and advice on the two fjord crossings.

The harsh weather conditions on Norway’s western coast make local travel unpredictable. With 1,100 kilometres of continuous road, the E39 Superhighway will create an accessible transport route, in what is the country’s largest, most complex infrastructure project to date.

Norway’s E39 Stord-Os Bridge Norway’s E39 Stord-Os Bridge Norway’s E39 Stord-Os Bridge
Render depicting Bjørnafjorden crossing concept

 The two major bridges over Bjørnafjorden and Langenuen will replace local ferry routes, an integral part of Norway’s transport network. At five kilometres in length, the marine crossing at Bjørnafjorden is set to become the world’s longest floating bridge. Over in Langenuen, a research team made headlines after proposing using aluminium as a more durable, cost-efficient alternative to steel to build the 1.6 km-long suspension bridge.

“Arup has a solid track record in independent bridge verification and will draw on its global network of experts to deliver this technically challenging, ambitious project”, said Christian Allison, who leads Arup in Denmark. “We have established a strong presence in Denmark supporting clients like Vejdirektoratet and Metroselskabet, and we look forward to consolidating our infrastructure work in Scandinavia”. 

Built environment consultants Arup have significant long-span bridge experience. Over the past decade, Arup has carried out design reviews for iconic structures such as Turkey’s 1915 Çannakale bridge, set to be the world’s longest suspension bridge, as well as Malaysia’s Second Penang Bridge and South Korea’s Incheon Bridge.