The Hitratunnel,
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We are now passing 264 meters above the Hitratunnel, which opened in 1994. It is one of Norway’s deepest subsea road tunnels. In a country of fjords and islands, tunnels like this are essential. Today, Norway has nearly 40 subsea tunnels, along with over 1,200 other road tunnels with a combined length of 1,550 kilometers — that’s roughly the distance of a tunnel stretching from Berlin to Rome. And if you added the length of Norway’s 18,000 bridges, you’d probably make it all the way to Africa. Just look around, and it’s clear: building infrastructure in Norway is both challenging and expensive. Still, tunnels and bridges like these are vital for coastal communities, such as here on Hitra. Suddenly, it became possible to transport fish, people, and goods to the mainland year-round — quickly and safely. The Hitratunnel stands as a powerful example of how Norway invests in vibrant coastal societies that, in turn, contribute to the country’s welfare and growth.