In the centuries before the tunnel arrived, Hvalba and Trongisvágur were connected by a footpath via the Krákugjógv.
[3] Because of its limited clearance of 3.2 metres (10 ft), it could not handle modern-sized large vehicles, which typically measure 3.7 to 4.0 metres (12.1 to 13.1 ft), including lorries, trailers and touring cars.
[2] This tunnel, with two lanes and a clearance of 4.5 metres (15 ft), measures 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) in length.
[5] The tunnel opened on 8 May 2021 with a ceremony, oldtimers and a convoy of lorries that previously could not access Hvalba.
[7] The new Hvalbiartunnilin would gain additional importance if the subsea Suðuroyartunnilin is constructed between Sandvík on Suðuroy and the island of Sandoy.