Lieråsen Tunnel

Historie

Lieråsen Tunnel is a single-tubed railway tunnel of the Drammen Line situated in Asker, Røyken and Lier in Norway. At a length of 10.723km, the double track tunnel is located immediately between Asker Station and Lier Station. It is used for a mix of short- and long-haul passenger trains and freight trains.Construction of the tunnel commenced in 1962, along with a new section of track between the tunnel and Brakerøya Station. Inadequate geological surveys ahead of construction resulted in the tunnel being built in the middle of an altered and crushed zone, delaying construction and eventually shifting the route 300m to the southwest. The tunnel opened on 3 June 1973. In addition to providing double track, it shortened the Drammen Line by 12.4km. Part of the old section of the Drammen Line became the Spikkestad Line, while the rest of line was closed. Lieråsen was the longest railway tunnel in the country until the Romerike Tunnel opened in 1999.SpecificationsThe Lieråsen Tunnel is 10.723km long and carries the double tracked, standard gauge Drammen Line between Asker Station and Lier Station. Running through the mountain of Lieråsen, it passes through the municipalities of Lier, Røyken and Asker. The line is electrified at. At Eriksrud, 10.48km from Asker Station, there is a switch allowing trains to change track.