The approval of the bridge came despite past opposition from the Socialist Left Party and much of Labor's parliamentary bloc. The Liberal Party opposed the project, and the Christian Democrats were split. The Progress Party did not want the bridge financed by tolls.
But the final decision to build was greeted with jubilation in the Storting, and now the project is viewed as one that will create value for the region as well as the rest of the country.
"Norway's Golden Gate Bridge will now be built. It will be longer, higher and more beautiful than the original," said an enthusiastic Øyvind Halleraker, the project spokesman.
The approval of the bridge, originally backed by the previous Bondevik administration, went through despite Labor Party skepticism since new Labor Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg promised Hardanger the bridge in his election campaign.
