The cost of the planned bridge connecting Sotra Island to mainland Norway may be considerably higher than originally anticipated. The project could cost as much as €1.78 billion to carry out, which includes building the necessary road links and tunnel sections. With the concession for the bridge being planned as a 20-year package, there is concern that this will not be a viable deal for Norwegian firms. Construction is intended to be complete by 2026. A number of international firms have expressed an interest in the project.
The bridge would be built alongside the existing suspension bridge, which was completed in 1971 and is 1.2km long. The existing bridge handles 22,700 vehicles/day, with this figure expected to grow to 26,000 vehicles by 2024.
