The Atlantic Ocean Road: An Engineering Marvel and Breathtaking Scenery in Norway

The Atlantic Ocean Road (Norwegian: Atlanterhavsveien), starting from mainland Norway and traversing the archipelago of Eide and Averøy in Møre og Romsdal county, offers a unique spectacle. This 8.3-kilometer-long architectural masterpiece is often considered one of the most beautiful and dangerous roads in the world.

The road runs along an untouched part of the Norwegian Sea, the Hustadvika, a 10 nautical mile (19 km) long coastal stretch. Hustadvika connects the island of Averøy with the mainland and the Romsdalshalvøya peninsula. The road meanders between Averøy and Kårvåg on the mainland, built on smaller islands and skerries, connected by winding viaducts and eight bridges, with the Storseisundet Bridge being the most prominent.

The planning of the road began in the 1970s, and construction started on August 1, 1983. During construction, they had to contend with stormy weather 12 times. The road finally opened on July 7, 1989, costing 122 million Norwegian kroner, funded by toll fees and government grants. The toll was originally planned for 15 years, but it was abolished in June 1999 due to the road’s costs being recovered.

The Atlantic Ocean Road has received numerous accolades, including the “Norwegian Construction of the Century” title in 2005, and The Guardian named it the world’s best road in 2006. It is also a cultural heritage site and part of the Norwegian National Tourist Route.

However, alongside its stunning beauty, the road presents dangers. Sudden weather changes, windstorms, and snowstorms often make the road surface wet, which, combined with the winding sections, poses a challenge for drivers.

The road is 6.5 meters wide, with a maximum gradient of 8 degrees. However, the view often seems steeper. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the Atlantic Ocean Road is a popular tourist attraction in Norway, visited by hundreds of thousands of people each year to experience the unique combination of nature and engineering by car, bicycle, or on foot.

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