Hålogaland bridge in Narvik, Norway, has been opened and is the longest suspension bridge within the Arctic Circle.
The construction has been coated with Jotun Protective solutions to ensure long-lasting anti-corrosive performance in temperatures that can fluctuate by 40 degrees throughout the year, with winds in excess of 80 miles per hour.
Hålogaland bridge has been dubbed ‘the most beautiful bridge in the world’ by both locals and visiting engineers alike.
Spanning 1533m across the Romsbak Fjord, it cost NOK3.5bn (US$418M) and took five years to build.
Constructed from 30 separate sections, with 7000t of bridge deck, the project is a vital infrastructure development within the far North of Norway, cutting the distance between the regional centres of Narvik and Bjerkvik by 18km.
As Hege Karset Bjorgum, Global Concept Director Infrastructure, Jotun, explained, it is an important national undertaking, with an international flavour.
"Hålogaland bridge carries the main national North-South roadway, the E6, over the 300m deep fjord waters, providing a direct connection that is central to regional development,” Karset Bjorgum stated.
"It is fundamentally important to the local populace but also to Norway itself and, as such, demanded the highest standards of construction and protection.
"Working in close collaboration with China Railway Shanhaiguan Bridge Group, a specialist in the construction of world class bridges, Jotun delivered and applied its high quality protective coatings to all 30 sections, over a 10 month period.
"Our unique Jotamastic steel coating will enable this landmark project to endure the very harshest natural environments, linking communities, improving communications, and delivering lasting benefits for the local economies.”
With two elegant A-shaped superstructure towers, rising 179m above the water, and a central suspended deck spanning 1145m, Hålogaland bridge has been compared to San Francisco’s Golden Gate bridge.
Over 900 workers were involved during the five year build period. Jotun’s role was key.
"Alongside the delivery and application of the product, we undertook a thorough training programme with the main contractors and oversaw the quality control of all surface application and finishing,” Karset Bjorgum commented.
"This involved stringent technical inspections in China, as well as delivering on-site expertise during the actual installation process in Narvik.
"Only the very highest standards are good enough on infrastructure projects of this magnitude and our close collaboration with other key stakeholders, at every stage of the build, ensures this. Jotun is immensely proud to be a partner on the Hålogaland bridge project.”
Jotun is a recognised leader within the Protective coatings segment, with involvement in landmark projects throughout the world.
