– We are making an attempt to secure and remove the bridge. The concern is about the torrential rain that has been reported – that it will cause the river to rise and cause problems, says operations manager Bård Einar Hoft at the Innlandet police district to news. A warning of torrential rain has been issued for Eastern Norway and Agder. Periods of heavy rain are expected from Monday evening. The Norwegian Meteorological Institute reports that there are large local variations in intensity and amount, and that the weather can change quickly. The clouds will pile up during the day and there will be heavy showers during the evening and night. – There may be 15 to 20 mm of rain within an hour. It can last for a while and there will be several showers one after the other. In some places there can be a good deal if you are unlucky, says state meteorologist Magnus Ovhed at the Meteorological Institute. Operations leader from the police at the scene, Ulf Sørumgård, says that they fear that more will happen to the bridge during Monday. – Yes, it is not impossible that it takes off, even if it looks like it is relatively stable now. It’s a rough river and a lot of water, so it’s completely impossible for me to say that it’s going to stay put, says Sørumgård. MYTH WATER IN THE RIVER: Thirteen bridges lie in the river where the water can rise. Photo: Alexander Nordby / news – Real concern Heavy showers are also expected tomorrow afternoon and evening. Aud Margrethe Riseng, head of transport in Innlandet county, acknowledges that it is a race against time. She states that an excavator is already in place, and then they are waiting for two mobile cranes that are on their way from Drammen. – It is a real concern. When the river is as big as it is now, and a lot of rain is also forecast, it would be a very unfortunate event if the bridge was taken by the river and traveled down, says Riseng. – We don’t want that at all. That is why we want to start the work as soon as possible, she says. Aud Margrethe Riseng, head of transport in Innlandet county, says the bridge collapse came as a great surprise to the county council. Photo: Lars Erik Skrefsrud / news Does not issue flood warnings NVE has not issued any flood warnings in Eastern Norway. – Shower situations are very uncertain so you can have bad luck, but according to the forecast, the showers will move quickly and then there is no reason to issue flood warnings in large rivers such as Gudbrandsdalslågen, says Elin Langsholt, who is the hydrologist on duty at NVE. They believe that the torrential rain will hit smaller rivers and streams, and that it could lead to erosion damage in the smaller watercourses. – Big job to be done Innlandet county is responsible for the bridge. – It is important for us and the road authorities to get the E6 opened as soon as possible, but there is a big job to be done. In addition, risk assessments must be carried out before we start, so that no more injuries occur, she says. Riseng says that they will now go over the latest inspections of all the wooden bridges in the interior. – It is to check that it is completely safe – because it should be. Want an external investigation The Swedish Road Administration and Innlandet county are now launching an external investigation into the collapse of Tretten bridge on Monday, the Swedish Road Administration writes in a press release. – We must have a complete and independent review of the incident. It must be safe to drive on Norwegian roads. That is why it is important to get to the bottom of this matter, says road director Ingrid Dahl Hovland. An independent expert panel is now being put together. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has also started a survey of the inspection and measures overview of other bridges with similar construction with the relevant counties. Innlandet county owns and maintains Tretten bridge, which was built by the Norwegian Road Administration in 2012,
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– It is not impossible that it takes off – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
