Almannaskarðsgöng (, ) is a
tunnel
A tunnel is an underground or undersea passageway. It is dug through surrounding soil, earth or rock, or laid under water, and is usually completely enclosed except for the two portals common at each end, though there may be access and ve ...
along
Route 1
The following highways are numbered 1.
For roads numbered A1, see list of A1 roads.
For roads numbered B1, see list of B1 roads.
For roads numbered M1, see List of M1 roads.
For roads numbered N1, see list of N1 roads.
For roads numbered S ...
, located just east of the town of
Höfn
Höfn () or Höfn í Hornafirði (, ) is an Icelandic fishing town in the southeastern part of the country. It lies near Hornafjörður fjord.
The town, the second largest in the southeastern part of Iceland, offers scenic views of Vatnajökull ...
(Hornafjörður) in the
Eastern Region Eastern Region or East Region may refer to:
* Eastern Region (Abu Dhabi): Al Ain
*Eastern Region, Ghana
*Eastern Region (Iceland)
*Eastern Region, Malta
*Eastern Region, Nepal
*Eastern Region, Nigeria
* Eastern Region, Serbia
*Eastern Region, Ugand ...
of
Iceland
Iceland is a Nordic countries, Nordic island country between the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. It is culturally and politically linked with Europe and is the regi ...
.
The construction of the tunnel began in March 2004, the breakthrough was in October that same year, and the tunnel was opened on June 24, 2005.
The tunnel runs through 1,150 metres of solid rock and some 162 metres of concrete portals, bringing the total length to 1,312 metres (although a sign rounds it off to 1,300 m). The tunnel is two lanes wide, with three passing areas for emergency traffic. The southern tunnel entrance is located at 39 m above sea level whilst the northern tunnel entrance is 82 m high, making the incline of the tunnel 4.6%.
The tunnel replaced the narrow and steep Almannaskarð pass which was regularly closed during the winter because of snow, impeding traffic to and from the east of Iceland. The pass is still accessible in the summertime from the northern ramp and there is a parking place with a beautiful view (the southwest ramp is closed to public traffic).
File:2008-05-23 20 Skarðsfjörður.jpg, View from the old mountain pass.
References
Road tunnels in Iceland
Tunnels completed in 2005
Buildings and structures in Eastern Region (Iceland)
{{Europe-tunnel-stub