Norðoyatunnilin

Norðoyatunnilin is a subsea road tunnel in the Faroe Islands that links the island of Borðoy with Eysturoy, crossing beneath the Norðoyarfjørður strait. It connects Klaksvík on Borðoy with the Eysturoy side near Leirvík, forming part of the network that links the northern group of islands with the southern parts of the archipelago. The tunnel is used by standard road traffic and is an important route for residents, commuters, and goods transport.

Construction of the Norðoyatunnilin took place in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and it opened to traffic in 2006. The project involved tunneling beneath the fjord to create a sheltered, all-weather crossing that reduces travel times and eliminates the need for ferries between Borðoy and Eysturoy. The tunnel was designed for regular road use, with two lanes and safety features typical of major subsea tunnels, such as lighting, ventilation, and emergency provisions, to accommodate year-round operation.

Operated as part of the Faroe Islands’ public road network, the Norðoyatunnilin is maintained by the national road administration. It has contributed to improved connectivity, broader access to services and markets, and greater regional integration for the Norðoyar region. The tunnel is one element of ongoing efforts to expand sub-sea and coastal transport infrastructure in the Faroe Islands.

See also: Vágatunnilin and other tunnels and bridges in the Faroe Islands.