Norway’s Follo Line opening will be delayed by one year, to December 2022, and the cost will increase to NOK 30.7 billion (EUR 3.16 billion), from NOK 28.5 billion (EUR 2.9 billion).
Bane NOR says that the main reason for both the delay and increased costs is the contract with the Italian company Italian Condotte, that was terminated in January 2018 due to company’s financial problems. In 2017, Condotte was in debt to several of the subcontractors and this has led to a full stop in the construction work. The problems with Condotte have cost Bane NOR EUR 165 million (NOK 1.6 billion) and works on the Follo Line proved to be more challenging than expected.
Two out of five large EPC contracts in the Follo Line Project with a value of NOK 3,5 billion (EUR 360.6 million) had been awarded to Condotte in 2015. Approximately 100 subcontractors and suppliers have been commissioned by Condotte. The financial problems Condotte had were caused by operations they had outside of Norway.
Currently, Follo Line construction is 72% completed against project targets of 79%.
Follo Line is currently the largest transport project in Norway and includes the country’s longest railway tunnel, that will have 20 km. The project envisages the construction of 22 km of new double track line from Oslo to the new station at Ski. It includes the necessary realignment of tracks for the existing Østfold Line on the approach to Oslo Central Station and between the tunnel and the new Ski Station
Initially, the project was expected to be completed in December 2021. The line designed for speeds of 250 km/h will enable a 50 % reduction in journey time between Oslo and Ski.
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