Spectacular views even before you get in the air
Bodø is situated roughly in the middle of Norway, just north of the Arctic Circle. It is the administrative centre of the Nordland region, known for its fjords and mountains. In a straight line, the distance from Oslo, Norway’s capital city, is around 800 kilometres. By car, it is a 1,200-kilometre, 16- to 18-hour road trip.
With that in mind, it is no wonder Bodø Airport is a vital part of Norway’s infrastructure. However, the existing airport is located close to the urban area, and as Bodø continues to grow and aims to become an even more significant regional development centre, there is a need to move the airport further away from the city. At the same time, the airport needed upgrading and expansion to meet current and future needs so this formed the basis for the project.
Unique location, delicate environment and true teamwork
From an engineering point of view, the Bodø Airport project is interesting and challenging. The location by the sea and mountains makes the project special in itself and adds substantial nature and wildlife considerations to the already complex task. The new runway, measuring 2,750 metres in total, is partly constructed as an 800-metre-long new sea fill.
To make sure the project gets completed with the best possible solutions, the cooperation between the three partners, Avinor as client and developer, PEAB as contractor for all airside civil works and COWI as engineering consultant, is based on a collaboration model with shared goals and responsibilities and mutual successes and failures.
As engineering consultants, this means co-creating solutions with the contractor responsible for constructing them. The model also ensures close developer involvement when deciding what to do by taking into consideration both engineering, construction and operational aspects.
If you also love big infrastructure projects, you should check out these open positions in Transportation in Norway:
Working together for better results
Airport projects are complex and involve almost every engineering discipline, with many interfaces that call for co-creation and teamwork. In Bodø, the contract for the terminal was initiated a year later than the rest of the airport. This makes the interface with the design of the aircraft stands, the heated pavement, the passenger terminal and the boarding bridges extra challenging.
COWI’s project team consists of competencies from different disciplines, offices and countries that bring all their expertise and experience together. To support the people on site in Bodø, team members are on board from other offices in Norway, Denmark and India.
The collaboration model with PEAB and Avinor means we plan and design in parallel with the ongoing work on the construction site. For instance, the new 2,750-metre-long runway is the result of an iterative process. Based on initial calculations and design, the construction workers began blasting the granite and used the material for the breakwater and the sea fill, while the engineering team concurrently developed the detailed design of the runway’s final levels.
Protecting the environment before, during and after
When finished, the new Bodø Airport will have spectacular views to the mountains and the sea. Naturally, the environment and the impact of constructing the airport play a big role in the project.
The new airport is located next to the existing airport, on a site that has previously been used by Norwegian Air Force. The old military structures are being demolished, and to save resources, the concrete is crushed and used as a solid base layer, e.g., in the internal roads. The same goes for the granite that is blasted to make room for the runway and terminal. The rocks are used in the sea fill, and those with sufficient durability are used in the breakwater that protects the runway.
Some of the military activities have left parts of the area contaminated, and mapping and handling of the polluted soil are an integrated part of the project. The area is full of rare species, on land and in the water, and construction is carried out under careful monitoring and control. Restrictions are in place regarding work that cannot be carried out during fish spawning periods, the extent of the sea fill and the impact of the airport when in operation.
Facts about the New Bodø Airport
- Period: Construction started in March 2023, opening is scheduled for 2029/2030.
- 3.5 million m³ of rock and loose material must be moved (maximum blast: 65,610 m³ using 50 tonnes of dynamite).
- 650,000 m² must be asphalted.
- Runway dimensions: 2,600 metres long + a 150-metre starter extension and turn pad.
- 1,100 lamps and 310 km of cables make up the airfield lighting.
- Capacity of the new terminal: 2.3 million passengers a year.
- Total construction cost: NOK 7.2 billion (2022).
- Partners: Avinor, PEAB.
- Photos from the airport: Tor O. Iversen, Avinor.
- Follow the project on Facebook for daily updates on progress and amazing photos.
Your next project could be
… as part of a team creating big infrastructure solutions like the new Bodø Airport.
Our infrastructure teams cover all disciplines with engineers, specialists and project managers dedicated to this particular field of work. We are among the most experienced, and at the same time we are constantly seeking new solutions and striving to build for the future in more sustainable ways.
My function is the last stop before construction and build are allowed to start.
“My team are responsible for getting the permits that are necessary to make the project happen. It’s hectic, sometimes a bit stressful, but most of all fun and exciting.”
Espen Gjessing
Technical Lead Permitting, Transportation and Spatial Planning
We need you
Together with customers, partners and colleagues, we shape a future where people and societies grow and flourish. We do that by co-creating sustainable and beautiful solutions that improve the quality of life for people today and many generations ahead.
Headquarters
COWI A/S
Parallelvej 2
2800 Kongens Lyngby
Denmark
Shortcuts
Sustainability and governance
Terms of use