The Northernmost Transport Systems In The World
The North Pole is one of the harshest regions in the world with extreme weather conditions making it hard for a human settlement to be established. However, advancement in technology has made it possible for the construction of facilities near the near North Pole. Various forms of transportation are also found near the North Pole.
Northernmost Airport In The World
Alert Airport is the northernmost airport in the world as it is located 82 degrees north and lies only 520 miles south of the North Pole. The airport is situated in the Canadian settlement of Alert, Nunavut which is the northernmost place in the world which is permanently inhabited. Alert Airport is a military airport operated by the Department of National Defense of Canada and has one 5,500-foot long gravel-surfaced runway.
Northernmost Airport In The World With Public Scheduled Flights
The northernmost airport in the world with public scheduled flights is the Svalbard Airport located 78 degrees north. The airport is located in the town of Hotellneset in Svalbard, Norway. Svalbard Airport serves the Svalbard region and is the busiest airport in Svalbard. The airport handled over 150,000 passengers and 608 tons of cargo in 2014 alone. Svalbard Airport is made up of one runway which stretches 8,146 feet and is 148 feet wide.
Northernmost Railway Track In The World
The Obskaya-Bovanenkovo Line is the northernmost railway line in the world as it is located 70 degrees north. The Obskaya-Bovanenkovo Railway Line stretches 326 miles across northern Russia connecting Obskaya and Bovanenkovo. The railway line is owned by Gazprom which also constructed the railway. The Obskaya-Bovanenkovo Line primary role was to access the gas fields in the Yamal Peninsula. The railway is planned to be extended to reach Kharasavey to have a total length of 421 miles.
Northernmost Bridge In The World
The Havoysund Bridge is the northernmost bridge in the world of any size as the bridge lies on the 70 degrees-north longitude. The Havoysund Bridge is located in the municipality of Masoy in Finnmark County, Norway. The cantilever bridge is made of prestressed concrete, and it crosses the Havoysundet strait connecting the Havoysund village on the island of Havoya to the mainland. The bridge is 961 feet long with a main span of 407 feet. The Havoysund Bridge is a part of the County Road 889 and was opened in 1986.
Northernmost Underground Railway Station
The northernmost underground railway station is the Airport Railway Station in Helsinki which lies 60 degrees north. The underground railway station is located at the Helsinki Airport at a depth of 148 feet. The Airport Railway Station is a commuter rail station and is part of the Ring Rail Line which stretches between Leinela and Aviapolis. The railway station was opened on July 10, 2015, and is currently owned by the Finnish Transport Agency.
Northernmost Metro Station
The Mellunmaki metro station in Finland is the northernmost metro station as it lies 60 degrees north. The Mellunmaki metro station which is part of the Helsinki metro serves the Mellunmaki district of East Helsinki and is owned by the Helsinki City Transport. The metro station was opened on September 1st, 1989.
Northernmost Motorway
The northernmost motorway in the world is the Finnish national road 29 which lies 65 degrees north. The motorway stretches 10 miles and connects Tornio and Keminmaa. The Finnish national road is part of the European route E8.
Harsh Conditions In The Northernmost Areas Of The World
Most of the facilities found near the North Pole have to withstand the harsh conditions present in the below-zero temperatures found for most of the year. The regions near the North Pole also experience strong winds which are factors to be considered when setting up these facilities and particularly airports.
