Hvalfjarðargöng

Hvalfjarðargöng is a sub-sea tunnel located in southwestern Iceland. It runs under the Hvalfjörður, a fjord that was once a significant bottleneck for traffic traveling between Reykjavík and the western and northern parts of the country. Before the tunnel's construction, vehicles had to navigate the lengthy and often treacherous coastal road around the fjord.

The tunnel was opened to traffic on July 17, 1998. Its construction significantly reduced travel times, making the journey to the west and north of Iceland much more convenient. The driving time around Hvalfjörður could be over an hour, whereas the tunnel bypasses this route entirely, cutting down the journey to a matter of minutes.

Hvalfjarðargöng is a toll road, and tolls are collected at the southern end of the tunnel. The tunnel is approximately 5.7 kilometers (3.5 miles) long and is a single bore with two lanes of traffic, one in each direction. It is an essential piece of infrastructure for Iceland's transportation network, facilitating both tourism and commerce. The tunnel's existence has also contributed to the economic development of the regions it connects.