Director of Roads Ingrid Dahl Hovland presented the list of major, future development projects on the national road network at a press conference on Monday morning. The Swedish Road Administration also presents a list of 200 projects throughout Norway that will “contribute to halting decay and provide better traffic safety and visibility on national roads”. – We give higher priority to operation and maintenance. After several years of increasing backlogs, we want to reverse the trend, says road director Ingrid Dahl Hovland. With the government’s proposal for NOK 1.2 billion in the revised budget for operation and maintenance, we will be able to do more, and we will explain how, is the message from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. – We think this will be a turning point where we can upgrade the national roads, says Hovland. The funds are in addition to NOK 9.4 billion already included in the state budget for 2023 for road operation and maintenance, which was NOK 1 billion more than in 2022. Director of Roads Ingrid Dahl Hovland in the Norwegian Public Roads Administration presents future development projects on Monday. Photo: Knut Opeide – Maintenance is important – Overall, the level of licensing for operation and maintenance on national roads in 2023 will be a record high, and is approaching a level where we will be able to prevent further deterioration on Norwegian roads this year, stated Transport Minister Jon-Ivar Nygård (Ap) in connection with the licensing. The managing director of Norway’s Lastebilier Association, Geir A. Mo, has previously stated that in a hard-pressed economic situation it is important to direct the spotlight on road maintenance rather than large giant projects. – It is therefore a very positive signal from the government that they will allow NOK 1.2 billion for more operation and maintenance of the national roads, Mo commented when the revised national budget was presented. In addition to the road director, Kjell Inge Davik, director of development at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, and director of operations and maintenance, Bjørn Laksforsmo, also participated in the press conference.
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