statens vegvesen Announces E18 The Western Corridor's largest contractWith the announcement of the contract E102 Fornebukrysset-Strand, the realization of the E18 Western Corridor has reached a new large and important milestone.

STATENS VEGVESEN ANNOUNCES E18 THE WESTERN CORRIDOR'S LARGEST CONTRACTWITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE CONTRACT E102 FORNEBUKRYSSET-STRAND, THE REALIZATION OF THE E18 WESTERN CORRIDOR HAS REACHED A NEW LARGE AND IMPORTANT MILESTONE.

On the E18 Lysaker - Ramstadsletta, first stage on the E18 West Corridor, preparatory construction work is currently underway on the Fornebukrysset-Strand section. This work will prepare the construction area and move the current E18 in a rerouted route, so that the work on the project's largest contract, E102 Fornebukrysset-Strand, can start in just over a year.
New E18, new cycle path and new connection to FornebuThe contract that has now been announced includes the design and construction of a total of 2.3 kilometers of new E18 with 2x3 fields on the Fornebukysset-Strand section in Bærum municipality. On parts of the stretch there are also alternating fields. Of the total E18 section, the Høvik tunnel is about 660 meters, with a rock tunnel section of 440 meters. Secondly, a new cross-connection between Fornebu and Gjønnes is included. This applies to Vestre Lenke from Arenakrysset at Fornebu to the construction boundary in the Gjønnestunnelen just north of the Høvik tunnel. A new main cycle path will also be built between Fornebukrysset and Strand as part of this contract. In addition, changes are made to the adjacent local road system with pedestrian and cycle paths.

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The main work consists of tunnel and day zone facilities, local roads, dense construction pits, electrical installations and traffic technical equipment, conversion of technical infrastructure, demolition and road diversion as well as completion and repair. Around 60 larger and smaller constructions and technical buildings are included in the facility. The price tag on the works is estimated to land at between 3.0 and 3.6 billion kroner. The construction period is estimated for 2023 (summer) - 2030 with the opening of the E18 part of the project in 2028.
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Emphasizes climate and environment in both allocation and implementationIn addition to requirements for organization, technical implementation and finances, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration has in the announcement emphasized protection of the external environment and reduction of greenhouse gases. Among other things, it is a requirement that the finished project must result in lower emissions. Strict climate and environmental requirements have also been set for the construction phase, and requirements have been set for  CEEQUAL certification  at a minimum level "very good". The Norwegian Public Roads Administration will also give a bonus for implementing solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions beyond what the suppliers include in their offer.
Built as a turnkey contractThe construction of Fornebukrysset-Strand will be carried out as a turnkey contract. This means that the contractor / supplier in its agreement with the client (Statens vegvesen) takes on both the design and the construction. The first part of the competition is pre-qualification, which will be completed in June 2022. The pre-qualification provides a basis for selecting three suppliers that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration later invites to submit tenders and participate in negotiations. The plan is for the Norwegian Public Roads Administration to enter into a contract with a supplier in the summer of 2023.
- We are pleased that we have now come so far that we can announce the contract for the design and construction of the most comprehensive and complex part of the project E18 Lysaker-Ramstadsletta. In addition to the technical challenges in the project, there are challenges related to ground conditions and the fact that we are building in a densely populated area with a road with 24-hour traffic of 90,000 vehicles. I look forward to solving the challenges together with our future supplier, and I hope and believe in great interest and many qualified bidders for the announced contract, says Kjetil Fløtre who is project manager for contract E102 Fornebukrysset-Strand.