New water supply in Oslo
JV AF Ghella is building part of Oslo's new water supply on behalf of the City of Oslo.
Project status
Backup
Presently, Lake Maridalsvannet provides drinking water for 90 per cent of Oslo's population. A failure in the water distribution system could have serious consequences. A redundant water supply system with a new distribution network is therefore under construction.
Clean water tunnel
The Joint Venture AF Ghella is responsible for building the water distribution system between Huseby, Oset and Stubberud. This is the largest contract in AF Gruppen's history.
The water distribution system will be constructed in tunnels with multiple connections to existing water pipes. A tunnel boring machine will drill the 11 kilometer main tunnel, while 7 kilometers of tunnel will be constructed using drill and blast. In addition, clean water pools and a pumping station is included in the project. Construction work started in April 2022 and is expected to be finished in November 2027.
Environmental impact
The City of Oslo has great ambitions when it comes to reducing its carbon footprint. For this project, it means that machines and vehicles shall be powered by electricity or biofuel without palm oil. Minimizing transport and using low-carbon concrete also contributes to a reduced CO2 emission.
“AF Gruppen is very satisfied to enter into this contract for the construction of a new water distribution network together with Ghella. We look forward to a good co-operation with the City of Oslo to ensure safe and secure water supply to the citizens of Oslo. Earlier, AF and Ghella has enjoyed a successful co-operation on parts of the Follo Line project and both parties have extensive experience with tunnel projects,” says Amund Tøftum, CEO of AF Gruppen.
- Tunneling starts at Stubberud June 1, 2022. Credit: Colin Eick
- Sirin Stav from the Department of Environment and Transport sets off the first blast on June 1, 2022. Photo: Colin Eick
- Santa Barbara is the tunnelers' saint. On December 5, Santa Barbara was celebrated at the rig site. The statue of Santa Barbara is placed in a niche by the tunnel. Photo: Vebjørn Løvås
- The tunnel boring machine is inspected at Herrenknecht in Germany July 13, 2023. The inspection is known as a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT). Photo: Maurizio Romano
- The TBM is assembled at Stubberud in Oslo.
- Marit Vea from the City of Oslo baptises the TBM on December 15, 2023.
- A train transports crew and equipment to the TBM. May 2024. Photo: Bård Gudim
- The TBM tunnel. May 2024. Photo: Bård Gudim
- Symeonides Charalampos og Marco Carvalho Monteiro in the control room of the TBM. May 2024. Photo: Bård Gudim