{{Short description|Bridge in Inderøy, Norway}} {{Infobox bridge |fetchwikidata=coordinates |name = Skarnsund Bridge |native_name = Skarnsundbrua |native_name_lang = NO |official_name = |other_name = |image = |image_size = 250px |alt = Skarnsund.jpg |caption = View of the bridge |carries = {{fylkesvei|755}} |crosses = [[Skarnsundet]] strait |locale = [[Inderøy Municipality]], [[Norway]] |maint = [[Norwegian Public Roads Administration|Statens vegvesen]] |design = [[Cable-stayed bridge]] |material = |length = {{convert|1010|m}} |width = |height = |mainspan = {{convert|530|m}} |spans = |pierswater = |load = |clearance = {{convert|45|m}} |below = |begin = |cost = |complete = |open = 19 Dec 1991 |inaugurated = |toll = |traffic = }}
The '''Skarnsund Bridge''' ({{langx|no|Skarnsundet bru}} or {{lang|no|Skarnsundbrua}}) is a {{convert|1010|m|ft|adj=on}} long concrete [[cable-stayed bridge]] that crosses the [[Skarnsundet]] [[strait]] in [[Inderøy Municipality]] in [[Trøndelag]] county, [[Norway]]. When finished in 1991, it replaced the [[Vangshylla–Kjerringvik Ferry]] and it gives the communities in [[Indre Fosen Municipality]] easier access to the central areas of [[Innherred]]. The bridge is the only road crossing of the [[Trondheimsfjord]], and is located along [[Norwegian County Road 755]].
The bridge has a span of {{convert|530|m|ft|0}}, making it the longest of its type in the world for two years. The two {{convert|152|m|adj=on}} tall [[Abutment|pylon]]s are located at [[Kjerringvik]] on the west side, and at [[Vangshylla]] on the east side. Following the opening, there was a seventeen-year collection of [[toll road|tolls]], needed to finance 30% of the {{NOK|200 million}} investment. In 2007, the bridge was listed as a [[cultural heritage]]. In 2012, [[Mosvik Municipality]] and [[Inderøy Municipality]] (located on either side of the bridge) were merged to form one large municipality of Inderøy.
==Background== {{see also|Innherredsferja}} Prior to its 2012 merger with [[Inderøy Municipality]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.regjeringen.no/globalassets/upload/krd/komm/sammenslaaing_mosvik-inderoy_arnfinn_tangstad.pdf|title= Sammenslåing av kommunene Mosvik og Inderøy - Hvorfor og hvordan – og ble det slik vi ønsket ?|trans-title=Merger of the municipalities of Mosvik and Inderøy - Why and how - and did it turn out the way we wanted?|author=Arnfinn Tangstad|date=|website=regjeringen.no|lang=no}}</ref> [[Mosvik Municipality]] was a separate municipality on the [[Fosen]] peninsula and part of the old [[Nord-Trøndelag]] county. The first automotive transport from Mosvik to the more populated area of [[Innherred]] commenced in 1958, when the ferry company [[Innherredsferja]] started the [[Levanger (town)|Levanger]]–[[Hokstad]]–Vangshylla–Kjerringvik–[[Venneshamn]] route. In 1964, the road between Kjerringvik and Vennesham, both in Mosvik Municipality, opened, and a new ferry was purchased, establishing the Vangshylla–Kjerringvik Ferry.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.adressa.no/tema/villeveier/article359491.ece |author=Sæther, Stein Arne |title=Ferjene i Midt-Norge |work=[[Adresseavisen]] |date=2 December 2004 |access-date=27 January 2011 |language=no |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927045234/http://www.adressa.no/tema/villeveier/article359491.ece |archive-date=27 September 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The ferry, and subsequently the bridge, is located at the narrowest section of Skarnsundet, between the villages of Kjerringvik and Vangshylla. In addition to Mosvik Municipality, the bridge also catered to the neighboring [[Leksvik Municipality]] (now part of [[Indre Fosen Municipality]]), further out down the fjord. The bridge is the only one to cross the Trondheimsfjord.<ref name=tiar>{{cite news |author=Okkenhaug, Knut |title=10 år etter åpningen står hun |work=[[Adresseavisen]] |date=18 December 2001 |page=13 |language=no}}</ref>
==History== [[File:Skarnsundbrua.jpg|thumb|left|The bridge seen from the Mosvik side]] The first meeting of local commercial and political interests to establish a bridge was made in 1972.<ref name=tiar /> By 1983, it was formalized by the establishment of the company AS Skarnsundsbrua to finance construction.<ref>{{cite news |author=Bakken, Sigrun |title=Bomavgift på togbillett |work=[[Trønder-Avisa]] |date=14 June 2008 |language=no}}</ref> The [[Parliament of Norway]] passed the plans in 1986,<ref>{{cite news |title=Statsbudsjettet |agency= [[Norwegian News Agency]] |date=3 October 1986 |language=no}}</ref> and construction started two years later.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lokalstoff Nord-Trøndelag |agency=[[Norwegian News Agency]] |date=29 September 1988 |language=no}}</ref> The main contractor was [[Aker ASA|Aker]]; and after the bridge was finished, maintenance was taken over by the [[Norwegian Public Roads Administration|Nord-Trøndelag Public Roads Administration]]. The bridge cost {{NOK|200 million|link=yes}}.<ref name=booklet>{{cite book |publisher=[[Norwegian Public Roads Administration]] |title=Skarnsundet bru |year=1992}}</ref> The bridge was opened by [[Harald V of Norway|King Harald V]] on 19 December 1991, after he had taken the last ferry across the fjord. A monument, the King's Stone, bearing the signature of the king, is located at the resting place on the Mosvik side.<ref name=tiar />
Following the opening, it won several awards: [[Betongtavlen]] (1992);<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.betong.net/iKnowBase/Content/749635/BETONGTAVLENoversikt.pdf |publisher=[[Norwegian Concrete Association]] |title=Oversikt over vinnere av Betongtavlen |year=2008 |access-date=27 January 2011 |language=no |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723024647/http://www.betong.net/ikbViewer/Content/749635/BETONGTAVLENoversikt.pdf |archive-date=23 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Beautiful Roads Award (1994);<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vegvesen.no/Fag/Fokusomrader/Miljo+og+omgivelser/Vakre+vegers+pris/Vakre+vegers+pris+-+tidligere+vinnere |publisher=[[Norwegian Public Roads Administration]] |title=Vakre Vegers Pris - tidligere vinnere |access-date=27 January 2011 |language=no |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322230551/http://www.vegvesen.no/Fag/Fokusomrader/Miljo+og+omgivelser/Vakre+vegers+pris/Vakre+vegers+pris+-+tidligere+vinnere |archive-date=22 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the international FIP Award (1994).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vegvesen.no/en/Roads/Roads+and+bridges/Bridges |publisher=[[Norwegian Public Roads Administration]] |title=Bridges |access-date=9 February 2009 |language=no, en |archive-date=2 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202153024/http://www.vegvesen.no/en/Roads/Roads+and+bridges/Bridges |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.johsholt.no/wip4/blist.epl?cat=14755&id=217658&l=1 |author=Johs. Holt AS |title=Om oss |access-date=27 January 2011 |language=no |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724180257/http://www.johsholt.no/wip4/blist.epl?cat=14755&id=217658&l=1 |archive-date=24 July 2011 |author-link=Johannes Holt |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2008, the [[Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage]] listed the bridge as a protected cultural heritage.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rb.no/lokale_nyheter/article2970175.ece |title=Riksantikvaren vil frede 40 bruer |work=[[Romerikes Blad]] |agency=ANB-NTB |date=4 September 2007 |page=8 |access-date=27 January 2011 |language=no |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229152114/http://www.rb.no/lokale_nyheter/article2970175.ece |archive-date=29 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="forskrift">{{cite web |url=http://lovdata.no/for/sf/md/xd-20080417-0364.html |title=Forskrift om fredning av broer i Statens vegvesens eie |date=17 April 2008 |publisher=Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage |access-date=27 January 2011 |language=no |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117033537/http://lovdata.no/for/sf/md/xd-20080417-0364.html |archive-date=17 January 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2010, the bridge came in second in a competition held by ''[[Teknisk Ukeblad]]'' to declare Norway's most beautiful road bridge.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tu.no/bygg/article252693.ece |last=Zachariassen |first=Espen |last2=Olsen |first2=Stein Jarle |title=Dette er Norges vakreste bro |work=[[Teknisk Ukeblad]] |date=23 July 2010 |access-date=27 January 2011 |language=no |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828113220/http://www.tu.no/bygg/article252693.ece |archive-date=28 August 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Specifications== [[File:Skarnsund Bridge carriageway.jpg|thumb|The Skarnsund Bridge looking west]] The bridge is one of the world's longest [[cable-stayed bridge]]s, with a length of {{convert|1010|m|ft}}. The span is {{convert|530|m|ft}}, while the two towers are {{convert|152|m|ft}} above sea level. The deck is {{convert|2.15|m|ft}} deep, and {{convert|13|m|ft}} wide, with two lanes for automobiles and one for pedestrians and bicycles. It is the longest concrete cable-stayed span. The sailing height is {{convert|45|m|ft}}. The bridge was, on its completion, the [[List of largest cable-stayed bridges|longest cable-stayed bridge]] in the world by the length of main span, but has since lost the title.<ref name=booklet /><ref>{{cite book |author=Walther, Rene|title=Cable stayed bridges |publisher=Thomas Telford Publishing |edition=2nd |isbn= 0-7277-2773-7|year=1999 |page=18|display-authors=etal}}</ref>
The original construction work also included {{convert|1.6|km|1}} of new road, including a resting place on the Mosvik side. In the construction of the bridge, {{convert|19600|m3|yd3}} concrete was used and the 208 cables, with a total length of {{convert|33|km}}, weighed {{convert|1030|t}}. The cables have diameters varying between {{convert|52|and|85|mm|in}} and can, if needed, be replaced separately. The bridge's foundations are [[bedrock]] below the [[seabed]] under each tower. The bridge was built to withstand winds up to {{convert|48.5|m/s}} (century storms) and has been designed to withstand [[earthquakes]].<ref name=booklet />
==Financing== Toll collection started the day after the opening, and lasted until 24 May 2007.<ref name=free>{{cite news |url=http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/nrk_trondelag/1.2538544 |title=Gratis over Skarnsundet |work=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=24 May 2007 |page=8 |access-date=27 January 2011 |language=no |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021140454/http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/nrk_trondelag/1.2538544 |archive-date=21 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Seventy percent of the costs were to be covered by the state, and thirty percent through [[toll road|toll fees]]. The debt was borrowed by the private company that was given a [[concession (contract)|concession]] to operate a [[toll plaza]] on the Inderøy side.<ref name=booklet /> Including interest, NOK 80 million was collected, and the bridge was paid off three years before schedule.<ref name=free /> The [[Vanvikan]]-based company was disestablished following the closure of the plaza. Until only a few years before the closing, it was the only toll plaza in Nord-Trøndelag. There were several price increases during the toll period. The bridge was free for pedestrians and cyclists, but all motor vehicles were charged, although discounts were available for frequent travelers. The plaza was staffed, and did not take into use [[Autopass]], like many other plazas.
==See also== {{Commons category|Skarnsundbrua|Skarnsund Bridge}} *[[List of longest cable-stayed bridge spans]] *[[List of tallest bridges in the world]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{LongestBridge | type = cable-stayed | start = 1991 | end = 1993 | previous = Alex Fraser Bridge | current = Skarnsund Bridge | next = Yangpu Bridge }} {{Crossings navbox |structure = Crossings |place = [[Trondheimsfjord]] |bridge = Skarnsund Bridge |bridge signs = {{fylkesvei|755}} |upstream = |upstream signs = |downstream = [[Levanger–Hokstad Ferry]] |downstream signs = {{fylkesvei|774}} }}
{{Bridges in Norway}} {{Authority control}} {{Good article}}
[[Category:Road bridges in Trøndelag]] [[Category:Cable-stayed bridges in Norway]] [[Category:Former toll bridges in Norway]] [[Category:Norwegian County Road 755]] [[Category:Bridges completed in 1991]] [[Category:1991 establishments in Norway]] [[Category:Inderøy Municipality]] [[Category:Trondheimsfjord]]