The Norwegian state-owned rail infrastructure manager Bane NOR says it is cancelling competitive bidding for the Kleverud-Sørli project as a result of the coronavirus situation.
Bane NOR’s CEO, Gorm Frimannslund, issued a statement to subcontractors and suppliers explaining the decision. He said that no decision would be made on commencing the project until Bane NOR knew more about the impact of the current situation on the rest of the company’s portfolio.
“By maintaining the level of activity in ongoing projects we are contributing towards keeping society going. Maintaining activity in the supplier chain is important to get through the crisis to secure as many jobs as possible. Therefore, we are grateful to have so many professional partners in our subcontractors and suppliers when the circumstances are what they are.
“The corona situation that has arisen, with the ensuing regulations from the authorities, is on the whole beyond both our and your control. The incident will thus in a number of cases fall within contractual provisions of force majeure. So far we are impressed by your persistence, and Bane NOR is confident that together, we will find good solutions to the situation we are facing. Good dialogue in projects is a key factor for achieving this.”
Kleverud-Sørli Project
The Kleverud-Sørli project entails the construction of a new 15.8km double track railway line, a new station in Tangen, and the construction of Norway’s longest railway bridge across the Mjøsa, Norway’s largest lake. The project will also involve a 3.1km railway tunnel between Kleversud and Espa.
Construction was originally scheduled to begin in 2021 and be completed in 2026.
The bridge will have a total length of 1070m. It will connect Espa and the Tangen Peninsula. Tangen will get a completely new station to the north of the town’s existing one. It will have side platforms for north and southbound trains, while passing tracks will run through the middle.
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