– When there has been such a clear notification of a reduction in all ministries, we fear that it will go beyond the transport sector, says the leader of the Association for Management and Technology in the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Alf Edvard Masternes. The background is the Ministry of Transport and the government’s signals that there will be cuts in allocations for roads in proposals for the national budget, which will be presented on 6 October. Masternes fears the cuts will be large, and that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration may be awarded NOK 5.5 billion. That is 3.5 billion less than in 2019. – It is not just motorway stretches that will increase. It will affect normal roads with business transport, and the safety of normal road users, he says. – Will notice less activity Masternes predicts that the consequence will be that planned projects are scaled back or postponed. – The main road network in the north, for example the E6, E8 and all the normal national highway sections, can be reduced where activity has been planned previously. He says that smaller allocations for roads will again lead to fewer projects for the contractors to fight for. – Those involved in the construction, operation and maintenance of roads will notice that they get less activity. Area director for development in the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Stein Johnny Johansen, is concerned about restrictions and the stopping of projects. Photo: Irene R. Skaue / Norwegian Public Roads Administration Management also concerned Area director for development in Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Stein Johnny Johansen, says they have received the same signals as Masternes. – We are prepared that there may be restrictions or stops in construction, he says. Johansen is concerned that any cuts could lead to a halt or delay in some of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration’s projects. Nevertheless, no cuts are planned. They start from the funds they have been allocated in the National Transport Plan (NTP). – But when the national budget comes, we deal with it, says Johansen. Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum hints at a heavy transport budget, but wants to reduce cost growth. Photo: Marita Andersen / news Want to reduce cost growth – There will be a heavy transport budget next year as well, says Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum. At the same time, he emphasizes that the government is preparing a budget that will bring down cost growth within the construction industry. – We don’t just want to splurge on more oil money, we have to reduce the prices we see now, says Vedum. – Are you signaling a reduction or will the level be maintained as before? – There will be a very high level of transport, building investment and maintenance, also next year. Then let the totality come when it comes, and it will come on 6 October.
ttn-69
The Norwegian Road Administration fears for the roads after signals of cuts in the state budget – news Troms and Finnmark
