Norðoyatunnilin to prepare for a Kalsoy subsea tunnel

The Norðoyatunnilin company is expected to prepare plans for a subsea tunnel to Kalsoy, after a bill authorising the work is submitted to the Faroese parliament, KVF reports.

Jacob Vestergaard, the minister for business affairs, said the company was ready to examine possible next steps, including preliminary studies, project design and potentially putting the work out to tender. The aim is to establish whether and when a tunnel could be built.

A change to the law governing Norðoyatunnilin is needed to allow the company, its board and its director to carry out the preparations. The bill is expected to be presented to parliament this autumn. If lawmakers approve the change, preparations will begin as soon as possible. Parliament will decide on the tunnel project after that work is complete.

Vestergaard said the proposal was not new. He had raised it after meeting an interest group in Kalsoy and had informed political leaders, including the cabinet. Although the plan was not included in next year’s budget proposal or the legislative programme announced in the opening speech, he said that programme was not exhaustive. Norðoyatunnilin has some funds that could be used for the preparations.