People in Norway have to deal with more water issues than most people. So it isn’t surprising that they would be the ones to come up with the idea of creating underwater floating tunnels as a more efficient system for crossing a body of water. (cool photos)
The Submerged Floating Tunnel
- the natural way to bridge water. The submerged floating tunnel utilizes lakes and waterways to carry traffic under water and on to the other side, where it can be conveniently linked to the rural network or to the underground infrastructure of modern cities.
The submerged floating tunnel is an innovative concept for crossing waterways, utilizing the law of buoyancy to support the structure at a moderate and convenient depth. The tube like structure is flexible with respect to cross section, length and water depth. It can be held in place by columns, tethers or pontoons.
In urban areas the floating tunnel can be linked to the existing road network for the benefit of the city commuter.
In rural areas the traffic passing through to a more distant destination can be moved under water and out of sight.
The submerged floating tunnel is a tube like structure of steel or concrete, made to float through buoyancy and supported on columns or held in place by tethers attached to the sea floor or by pontoons floating on the surface.
The concept is based on well-known technology applied to floating bridges, immersed tunnels and offshore structures. The tube can be built in sections in a dry dock, floated to the bridge site and installed with minor disturbance to the local community.
The beauty of the bridge is that it takes you there - over to the other side. The beauty of the bridge is also the aesthetic impression it creates - the integration of form and function. Sometimes it might be best if the bridge was not there, because of the environmental impact a bridge may have, such as noise, pollution and disruption to the scenery. But then you cannot get across - to the other side.
In the case of crossing straits, lakes and fjords, the answer may be the submerged floating tunnel. An invisible bridge that bridges the gap under water. For the traveller the impression gained is one of a tunnel.