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List of tunnels of the Faroe Islands

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The old Árnafjarðartunnilin closed for traffic in 2024. Pictured is the former entrance in Árnafjørður. Several similar tunnels remain in use.
Red: Islands or the so-called Mainland connected by road (bridge, dam or tunnel), as of December 2023. Yellow: Island that would be connected with the Suðuroyartunnilin. Green: Islands accessible only by water or air.

Tunnels and bridges are an important part of the Faroese transportation network.[1]

Road tunnels

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Locations of the tunnels

This list shows the Faroese tunnels, listed by age:[1][2]

Tunnel Year Length
m | ft		 Connects Island Comments
Gamli Hvalbiartunnilin 1963 1,450 4,760 Hvalba and Trongisvágur Suðuroy Closed for traffic since 2021.
Gamli Árnafjarðartunnilin 1965 1,680 5,510 Ánir, Klaksvík and Árnafjørður Borðoy Closed for traffic since 2024.
Gamli Hvannasundstunnilin 1967 2,120 6,960 Árnafjørður and Hvannasund/Norðdepil Borðoy Closed for traffic since 2024
Sandvíkartunnilin 1969 1,500 4,900 Sandvík and Hvalba Suðuroy Single lane with passing places, unlit.
Norðskálatunnilin 1976 2,520 8,270 Norðskáli and the valley of Millum Fjarða Eysturoy First two-lane tunnel. First road connection between Southern Eysturoy and Northern Eysturoy. Replaced the Hósvík-Selatrað ferry crossing.
Leynartunnilin 1977 760 2,490 Leynar and the valley of Kollafjarðardalur Streymoy Replaced an avalanche prone road.
Villingardalstunnilin 1979 1,193 3,914 The villages of Mikladalur and Húsar Kalsoy Southernmost of the five Kalsoy tunnels.
Ritudalstunnilin 1980 683 2,241 The villages of Mikladalur and Húsar Kalsoy One of the five Kalsoy tunnels. Single lane with passing places, unlit.
Mikladalstunnilin 1980 1,082 3,550 The villages of Mikladalur and Húsar Kalsoy One of the five Kalsoy tunnels. Single lane with passing places, unlit.
Trøllanestunnilin 1985 2,248 7,375 The villages of Trøllanes and Mikladalur Kalsoy Northernmost of the five Kalsoy tunnels. Single lane with passing places, unlit. Replaced a footpath, post boat service and helicopter service (1983-1985).
Teymur í Djúpadal 1979–85 220 720 The Trøllanestunnilin and the uninhabited valley of Djúpidalur Kalsoy One of the five Kalsoy tunnels. Effectively a branch of the Trøllanestunnilin to enable road access to pastures. Single lane, unlit.
Leirvíkartunnilin 1985 2,238 7,343 Leirvík and Gøta Eysturoy Replaced a cliffside road that now is a touristic route.
Kunoyartunnilin 1988 3,031 9,944 Kunoy and Haraldssund Kunoy Single lane with passing places, unlit. Replaced a ferry crossing.
Kollafjarðartunnilin 1992 2,816 9,239 Kollafjørður and Kaldbaksbotnur Streymoy Offers an alternative to the Oyrarvegurin mountain road, which is prone to icing and wind gusts in winter.
Sumbiartunnilin 1997 3,240 10,630 Sumba and Lopra Suðuroy Replaces a mountain pass that now is a touristic route.
Vágatunnilin 2002 4,940 16,210 Leynar and Fútaklett Streymoy and Vágar The first undersea tunnel. Replaced the Vestmanna-Vágar ferry.
Gásadalstunnilin 2006 1,445 4,741 Gásadalur and Bøur Vágar Single lane with passing places. Replaced the footpath and helicopter service.
Norðoyatunnilin 2006 6,186 20,295 Klaksvík and Leirvík Eysturoy and Borðoy Replaced the Leirvík-Klaksvík and Leirvík-Kalsoy-Klaksvík ferry.
Hovstunnilin 2007 2,435 7,989 Øravík and Hov Suðuroy Replaced the cliffside road that now is a touristic route.
Viðareiðistunnilin 2016 1,939 6,362 Viðareiði with Hvannasund Viðoy Replaced the coastal road, which is prone to landslides and avalanches, but remains open as a touristic route.
Eysturoyartunnilin 2020 11,250 36,910 Runavík and Strendur with Tórshavn Streymoy and Eysturoy Under Sundini and Skálafjørður. The tunnel has shortened the travel distance from Tórshavn to Runavík/Strendur from 55 kilometres to 17 kilometres. The 64-minute drive has been shortened to 17 minutes. The tunnel has the world's first under-sea roundabout at mid-bay.[3]
Nýggi Hvalbiartunnilin 2021 2,524 8,281 Hvalba and Trongisvágur Suðuroy Dual lane, lit. Replaces the Old Hvalbiartunnilin from 1963.
Sandoyartunnilin 2023 10,785 35,384 Traðardalur and Gamlarætt Streymoy and Sandoy The tunnel starts just above the port of Gamlarætt and ends Traðardalur between Skopun and Sandur. The tunnel opened on 21 December 2023.[4]
Nýggi Árnafjarðartunnilin 2024 1,965 6,447 Klaksvík, Ánir and Árnafjørður Borðoy First of the two new Tunlarnir norður um Fjall (also known as Borðoyartunlarnir). Construction commenced in February 2021, the drilling itself started in November 2021.[5][6] Drilling finished on 8 November 2022.[7]
Nýggi Hvannasundstunnilin 2024 2,246 7,369 Árnafjørður and Norðdepil Borðoy Second of the two new Tunlarnir norður um Fjall (also known as Borðoyartunlarnir). Construction started in November 2021[8][9][6] Drilling finished on 16 November 2022.[10]
Sum (including closed tunnels) 72,496 237,848 9 islands 4 inter-island tunnels, 18 on-island tunnels in operation and 3 on-island tunnels closed for traffic.

In addition, there are custom-built tunnels in Fuglafjørður used as storage space for local fishing companies. All are cul-de-sacs and closed to the public. The newest tunnels open in 2025 and measure 899 and 985 meters in length.[11]

Bridges and causeways

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This list shows the longest Faroese bridges and causeways, listed by age:

Bridge Year Length
m | ft		 Connects Island Comments
Brúgvin um Streymin 1973 220 720 Oyrarbakki/Norðskáli and Nesvík Streymoy and Eysturoy Concrete bridge. Replaced the ferry crossing from Nesvík to Oyrarbakki.
Byrging um Hvannasund 1975 220 720 Hvannasund and Norðdepil Borðoy and Viðoy Causeway. Replaced post and milk boat services.
Byrging um Haraldssund 1986 350 1,150 Haraldssund and Strond Borðoy and Kunoy Causeway. Replaced post and milk boat services.
Causeway between Kunoy (left) and Borðoy (right).
Brúgvin um Sandá 2016 140 460 Argir and Tórshavn Streymoy The second longest bridge in the country.[12]

Tunnels under construction

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Tunnel Year Approx. length
m | ft		 Connects Island Comments
Dalstunnilin Started in 2020, planned to open in mid 2025 2,165 7,103 Dalur with Húsavík Sandoy To replace the narrow cliffside road. Drilling commenced 5 November 2020.[13][14] On 17 November 2022 the halfway mark was passed.[15] The tunnel is expected to open in autumn 2025.[16]
Fámjinstunnilin Started in 2022, planned to open mid- 2025 1,200 3,900 Øravík with Fámjin Suðuroy Road access to Fámjin has been prone to fierce winds and icing. Construction of access roads commenced 25 July 2022 while drilling started on 16 November 2022. The tunnel is projected to open in summer 2025.[17]
Húsareynstunnilin 2025 1,705 5,594 Within Tórshavn, between Marknagil and Villingardal (nearHoyvík). Streymoy Part of the Innkomuvegurin highway that is currently under construction between Tórshavn (near Hotel Føroyar), Hoyvík and Hvítanes. The highway is to be operational in 2025[18][19][20]

Tunnels closed for traffic

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Tunnel Year of opening Year of closure Length
m | ft		 Connects Island Comments
Gamli Hvalbiartunnilin 1963 2021 1,450 4,760 Hvalba and Trongisvágur Suðuroy First tunnel in the country and also the first to be replaced by a new tunnel.
Gamli Árnafjarðartunnilin 1965 2024 1,680 5,510 Ánir, Klaksvík and Árnafjørður Borðoy First of the two original Tunlarnir norður um Fjall (also known as Borðoyartunlarnir). Single lane with passing places, unlit.
Gamli Hvannasundstunnilin 1967 2024 2,120 6,960 Árnafjørður and Hvannasund/Norðdepil Borðoy Second of the two original Tunlarnir norður um Fjall (also known as Borðoyartunlarnir). Single lane with passing places, unlit.
Sum 5,250 17,220

Planned and proposed tunnels

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Tunnel Year Approx. length
m | ft		 Connects Island Comments
Suðuroyartunnilin 2030+ 22,800 74,800 Skarvanes and |Sandvík Sandoy and Suðuroy The tunnel would consist of two new tunnels or one long tunnel with a branch to Skúvoy, not including upgrades of infrastructure such as the Sandvíkartunnilin.[21][22]
Vestmannatunnilin unknown 4,500 14,800 Kvívík and Vestmanna Streymoy To replace the cliffside road, prone to icing, rockslides and windgusts. The tunnel would be combined with a tunnel for powerlines from Vestmanna's hydropower station, and would not be ready before 2029.[23] The estimated costs are 500 million DKK.[24]
Tjørnuvíkartunnilin unknown 0 0 Tjørnuvík with Haldórsvík Streymoy To replace the narrow cliffside road.[25] Construction could be starting in 2024.[26]
Gøtudalstunnilin unknown 0 0 Skálafjørður and Norðragøta Eysturoy To offer an alternative to the Gøtueiði mountain pass in between Søldarfjørður and Syðrugøta, which is prone to icing and windgusts.[27] The original plans stated construction between 2022 and 2025, but in 2025 it was announced that detailed plans will start soon, without a precise date.[28]
Tunnilin á Vagum unknown 0 0 Vágatunnilin and Vatnsoyrar Vágar A bypass for through-traffic between Sørvágur, the airport and Streymoy, bypassing Mið- and Sandavágur. Construction planned 2027 or later.[29]
Gjáartunnilin unknown 0 0 Gjógv with Funningur Eysturoy To replace the narrow mountain pass, prone to icing in winter.[30]

Operators

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Public works authority Landsverk operates the national road network, excluding the four sub-sea toll tunnels. These tunnels are each operated by its own state-owned limited company, but the four companies are brought together under a single brand and organisation, Tunnil p/F. This company administers the tolls, which charged are via number plate recognition and collected at petrol stations or car rental companies upon return of the car. Reduced fares are available for vehicles with a subscription (in Faroese: hald). A 2022 poll suggested continued support for toll charges.[31]

Tórshavn Municipality owns and operates the Sandá Bridge[32] and Húsareynstunnilin, which is formally a municipal road, though functionally part of the national road network once it opens.[33]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Tunlar" (in Faroese). Tórshavn: Landsverk. Archived from the original on 2 October 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  2. ^ "Søgulig gongd" (in Faroese). Tórshavn: Landsverk. Archived from the original on 29 December 2008. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  3. ^ "The Eysturoy tunnel". estunlar.fo. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  4. ^ "Siglir nú seinastu túrarnar um skopunarfjørð". Kringvarp Føroya. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  5. ^ "Loysa fyrsta flagið fyri tunlum". Kringvarp Føroya (in Faroese). Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  6. ^ a b "Gongdin fyri tunlarnar norður um Fjall". www.landsverk.fo (in Faroese). Retrieved 2021-12-22.
  7. ^ "Síðsta skotið í Árnafjarðartunlinum". www.landsverk.fo (in Faroese). Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  8. ^ "Boringin byrjar í næstu viku". Kringvarp Føroya (in Faroese). Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  9. ^ "Fegnast um nýggjar tunlar". Kringvarp Føroya (in Faroese). Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  10. ^ "Síðsta skotið latið í tunlunum norður um Fjalll". www.landsverk.fo (in Faroese). Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  11. ^ "Tveir nýggir tunlar skjótt lidnir í Fuglafirði". dagur.fo (in Faroese). Retrieved 2025-04-13.
  12. ^ "Brúgvin um Sandá – J&K Contractors".
  13. ^ "Lata fyrsta skotið av". dagur.fo (in Faroese). Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  14. ^ "Dalstunnilin skotin ígjøgnum í november". Kringvarp Føroya. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  15. ^ "Dalstunnilin – helvtin borað". www.landsverk.fo (in Faroese). Retrieved 2022-12-23.
  16. ^ "Dalsbergholið verður liðugt í heyst". Kringvarp Føroya (in Faroese). Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  17. ^ "Fámjinstunnilin letur upp í summar". Kringvarp Føroya (in Faroese). Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  18. ^ "Kanna møguleika at gera tunnil ovarliga í Havn". www.in.fo. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  19. ^ "Avtalan um innkomuveg og tunnil undirskrivað". Tórshavnar kommuna (in Faroese). 2022-12-21. Retrieved 2022-12-23.
  20. ^ "Húsareynstunnilin skotin ígjøgnum í næsta mánaði". Dagur.fo (in Faroese). 2024-02-06. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  21. ^ "Suðuroy subsea tunnel research shows early promise". Kringvarp Føroya (in Faroese). 26 November 2018.
  22. ^ "Minister: Suðuroy tunnel ready in 2030". Kringvarp Føroya (in Faroese). 5 February 2020.
  23. ^ "Fundur um komandi vestmannatunnilin mánakvøldið". dagur.fo (in Faroese). Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  24. ^ "Vestmannatunnil". www.landsverk.fo (in Faroese). Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  25. ^ Landsverk. "Borgarafundur í Tjørnuvík um Tjørnuvíkartunnil (Citizen consultation meeting in Tjørnuvík about Tjørnuvíkartunnilin)". Landsverk. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  26. ^ "Fara undir Tjørnuvíkartunnilin næsta ár". dagur.fo (in Faroese). Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  27. ^ "Gøtudalstunnil".
  28. ^ "Projekteringin byrjar næsta ár". Kringvarp Føroya (in Faroese). Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  29. ^ "Farið verður undir tunnilin til Vestmanna í 2022".
  30. ^ "Samferðsluætlanin 2018-2030".
  31. ^ "Poll: tunnel toll charge should continue". Kringvarp Føroya (in Faroese). 7 May 2022.
  32. ^ "Brúgvin um Sandá".
  33. ^ Tórshavn Municipality (3 June 2021). "Endiliga er avtalan um innkomuvegin undirskrivad". Tórshavn Municipality. Retrieved 13 April 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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