National road 108 New Kråkerøy bridge

Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) is going to build a new national road (Rv. 108) including a new bascule bridge across the river Vesterelve in Fredriksatd. Fredrikstad with its 75000 inhabitants is situated 90 kilometres south of Oslo in the county of Østfold.

Today´s national road 108 and Kråkerøy bridge serves an extensive traffic. 108 is the only road connection to the Hvaler islands and their 11000 inhabitants. Beside the every day traffic, the road serves increased holiday traffic due to all the summer homes on the islands. The population doubles ten times during the summer months

During rush hours, the traffic on the bridge and the connected roads reaches maximum capacity. In 2008 the road had approximately 18400 vehicles passing every day and night.

Existing bridge
The existing bridge from 1957 is a mechanically operated bascule bridge with two leaves. The bridge has two vehicle lanes and two pedestrian lanes. It is operated from a local bridge control tower.

New bascule bridge across Vesterelva
The new bridge is to be built with four vehicle lanes and two pedestrian lanes. The bridge has a total length of 100 meter, and has three spans: two side spans and one bascule span. The bascule span consists of two parallel leaves with a tower and one overlaying counterweight. The bridge is to be opened by use of hydraulic cylinders. The width of the ship opening is 30 meters. Both the new and the existing bridge will be operated from NPRAs traffic control centre in Oslo.

New roads and tunnel
In addition to the new bridge, new roads and a tunnel will be built.
- New road connection through the FMV-area*.
- Toll plazas both on the existing and the new bridge
- New road connection between the FMV-area and existing national road 108, with a 430 meter long tunnel though Bjølstad hill.
- The road Vennelystveien will be closed for traffic, though buses are allowed.
- 900 meters new road and pedestrian lane from Åsgård hill to Glombo
- Upgrading the county road Mosseveien into a national road standard.
- Measuring the noise levels in those streets and roads that will experience higher traffic volumes.

The main objectives of the project are:
- To give the population on the west side of the river better access in case of emergency.
- To improve the access for both motorized and pedestrian traffic.
- Prepare for urban development of Fredrikstad

* FMV-area: Fredrikstad Mekaniske Verksted (An old ship yard situated on Kråkerøy)