Progress is being made on the development of the new E16 and railway between Bergen and Voss. It became clear after an agreement was reached on the state budget on Tuesday afternoon. – It is a great pleasure for us to say that the most important demand from our region has been met, says SV leader Audun Lysbakken. He believes there was great uncertainty and disappointment when it became clear earlier this autumn that no money had been allocated for “Norway’s worst road”. – People who demand safe roads and modern railways have finally been heard. Among other things, the postponement of the project was called “a danger to preparedness” by several public agencies. – Today I am proud of my government and SV. Proud of everyone who has stood by, says mayor in Voss herad, Hans Erik Ringkjøb (Ap). – As I see it, this is the last time I discuss a new road and track. Now it is preparation and realization that are owed. Mayor of Voss, Hans-Erik Ringkjøb (Ap). Photo: Oddgeir Øystese Approved plans The joint project of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and Bane Nor, which is often called K5, will secure a new European road and double track for the railway between Arna in Bergen and Stanghelle in Vaksdal. The regulatory plan has been approved and start-up is planned for 2024. The project group needs NOK 200 million for next year to keep up the pace. They have now got that. The new E16 and new railway between Arna and Stanghelle will make the road safer against landslides, and shorten the journey time by train. Photo: Red Ant – I am very satisfied that the project can continue at full strength. It was completely pointless to stop the project, says Atle Kvamme, who is the day-to-day leader of the K5 Alliance. They represent the business community in the Bergen region. – The stretch is vital for the entire region. This provides safety for travelers both on the road and by rail, says Kvamme. Atle Kvamme, daily manager of the K5 Alliance. Photo: Kjetil Kjær Andersland/news He points out that the E16 Bergen-Voss is the main artery from Bergen towards Austlandet. – Today, the main artery is a critical, but very dangerous and uncertain supply line. The standard on track and road is out of date, and every day life and health are put in great danger, says Kvamme. – Everyone who got involved and protested deserves a thank you, they have given us good traction. The agreement shows that it is useful, says Lysbakken. Audun Lysbakken. Photo: Cicilie Sigrid Andersen / news Start in 2024 E16 between Bergen and Voss was voted the worst road in Norway in 2018. There is a new road planned, together with the railway, from Arna to Stanghelle. This should both reduce travel time and ensure the road is exposed to landslides. This is how the K5 alternative will be Photo: Statens vegvesen Major shortening of both road and railway, mainly along the current route. Cuts the journey time by car Arna-Voss from 72 to 46 minutes (assumed speed of 90 km/h). The journey time by train Arna-Voss is more than halved from 63 to 24 minutes. Prioritizing eight long, new tunnels for both cars and trains. New four-lane intersection-free road between Arna and Trengereid, and a two-lane road further to Voss. During the day, the road will have central traction, in the tunnels there will be a central lane. New double track for the Bergen Railway on the entire stretch between Bergen and Voss, with six stations: Voss, Bolstad, Dale, Stanghelle, Vaksdal and Arna. The tunnels for trains and cars must be built next to each other, and act as escape routes for each other. The cost between Arna and Stanghelle is NOK 22 billion. This is somewhat less than half the stretch to Voss. The state regulatory plan was approved this spring, the development has been fully planned and start-up is in 2024. There were therefore strong reactions when the government put the brakes on this autumn. In the proposal for the state budget, it was stated that the project was one of the large projects of which nothing was supposed to happen. Transport Minister Jon-Ivar Nygaard (Ap) then said that many projects had to be postponed due to a difficult economic situation. He thought it was impossible to answer when it would be appropriate to start up Arna-Stanghelle. – It’s a question of what leeway we want going forward, Nygaard said then.
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Can proceed with the upgrade of “Norway’s worst road” E16 between Bergen and Voss – news Vestland
