After the Tretten bridge collapsed on 15 August, there has been great dissatisfaction among the local population because they believe it has taken a long time to get the formal permits in place for a temporary bridge. The collapse of the building is splitting the local community in two, and it has led to major problems for the school, nursery school and deliveries of goods and services. On 18 October there was a torchlight procession in support of progress in the case. On Sunday afternoon, the State Administrator in the Interior sent out a press release stating that “solutions have been found to secure the construction and use of the bridge, while at the same time safeguarding the conservation values.” Because it is conservation values linked to birds and fish that have been part of the challenge. Can take time to get steel pillars HAS WORKED THIS WEEKEND: Transport manager Aud Riseng in Innlandet county municipality. Photo: Alexander Nordby / news Innlandet county council is responsible for building the temporary bridge. Transport manager Aud Riseng is careful not to suggest when it might be finished. – I have to come back to this once we have received an assessment from our professionals. But it is easier to calculate now that we know what kind of solution we can use. She makes no secret of the fact that there can be problems with getting steel structures delivered quickly enough. – We need steel pillars for the temporary bridge, and they must be specially ordered. The world situation means that it can take time to get parts of steel delivered, she says. At the same time, she emphasizes that both drilling and foundations can be done before the steel pillars are in place. Must be finished before the spring flood The state administrator sets as a requirement that the part of the bridge that is above water must be finished before the spring flood, that is before 15 April 2023. – I both hope and believe that we will be finished before the spring flood. We have to, says Riseng. This means that mayor Jon Halvor Midtmageli in Øyer has still not received a clear answer to his wish to have the bridge in place “before winter.” ALSO WORKED THIS WEEKEND: Director of Environment and Agriculture Haavard Elstrand at the State Administrator. Photo: Mette Finborud Børresen Important for birds and fish Environment and agriculture director Haavard Elstrand at the Norwegian State Administrator says that they have assessed how a temporary bridge can be completed without harming fish and bird life. This has happened in collaboration with the county council and NVE. Trettenstrykene is a bird conservation area. Wintering waterfowl and other waterfowl are the main reason why the area is protected. There are also important spawning and breeding grounds for large otters there. – Do you self-criticize the processing time? – We have really worked hard. Everyone wants this to be clarified as quickly as possible, says Elstrand. – But at the same time, this is a temporary bridge that will stand for up to ten years. It must be able to withstand strong water flow and at the same time safeguard other values. There are many considerations to take into account. Elstrand also believes that the proceedings that the State Administrator has been in charge of have not delayed the timetable that the county council itself has laid out. The permanent bridge will be completed between 2026 and 2030.
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