This is what the Norwegian Public Roads Administration writes in a press release. The road will be closed between Oslo Spektrum and the intersection between Pilestredet and St. Olavs gate. – Now we have such a good overview that we can set the closing date, says project manager for Ring 1 in the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Elin Hermanstad Havik. Terrorism protection The Hammersborg tunnel is to be rebuilt and lowered ten metres. At the same time, the Vaterland tunnel will be upgraded. This is part of the terror protection of the new government quarter. The price tag for the new Ring 1 is NOK 3.6 billion. The road will be closed for three years. Neighbors and businesses fear traffic chaos. Oslo municipality has also warned against the consequences of thousands of cars spilling into other parts of the city centre. – We choose to close Ring 1 when traffic is low and there is less pressure on public transport, says Elin Hermanstad Havik. In this way, she hopes for a smoother transition to the new traffic pattern and new routes for the bus. SOFT TRANSITION: Project manager Elin Hermanstad Havik closes the tunnels when traffic is least. Photo: Erik Larsstuen – Will cause increased queues The Swedish Road Administration makes no secret of the fact that the closure will affect traffic in the city centre. – The capacity of the road network is already under pressure today and the closure will cause increased queues, says the press release. They encourage motorists to use Ring 3 and the Opera tunnel rather than the city streets north of Ring 1. – The Swedish Road Administration will facilitate detours on the national highway network. We will continuously monitor the measures both during the holiday and when traffic builds up again after the holiday, and possibly make adjustments, says Halvard Gavelstad, traffic project manager at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. – Don’t know the consequences Ruter has also previously warned against Ring 1 chaos. Planning director Snorre Lægran says that the most important thing is to ensure that the travelers get the best possible offer. – It is impossible to predict exactly how big the consequences will be, but we are doing everything we can to limit them for those who travel by public transport, he says. According to Lægran, Ruter has found good solutions for the buses that currently go through the tunnel. – We will work to inform travelers well in advance of the closure about the consequences for their route, he says.
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Ring 1 in central Oslo closes on 1 July – Greater Oslo
