Enormous boulders tumble down the mountainside and towards Trollstigen. This is how the mountain rangers will ensure that the popular tourist route will once again be safe to travel on. – There was something down the whole way. There is a lot that is very loose, so much of it I manage to pick up with my fingers outside, says Ken Tore Søyland, rock safety and rock blaster at Risa AS. The job requires them to hang several hundred meters above the ground. But the fear of heights is not a challenge. – No, we trust the equipment. We look out for each other and are careful with HSE, he says. Ken Tore Søyland is one of the mountain rangers who work to make Trollstigen safe. Photo: Frederik Winness Ringnes / news Remained closed this summer Every four years, the national tourist route attracts tourists from home and abroad to Møre and Romsdal, and many wait anxiously for the road to open for the season. But this year the situation was different. Risk of falling affecting the opening. At first only parts of the road were opened, from Valldal up to the plateau at Trollstigen. On 7 June, the entire Trollstigen was opened to traffic, to the great delight of visitors and the local business community. But the joy was short-lived. When a stone thundered down the mountainside and hit a car, the road was closed immediately. On 20 June, the news came that the road was closed for the rest of the year. Race against the clock In July, money came for race protection and work started shortly after. The aim is for the road to open by the 2025 season. But it is a race against time. Kristian Bjørdal, construction manager Møre and Romsdal county municipality, says it is a challenging job. – It is very nice to be working on the insurance. The aim is of course to get the road ready for the tourist season next year. – But it is demanding access. In addition, it is demanding both weather-wise and seasonally. Both with a view to when winter will come and also when it will take off next year, he says. Kristian Bjørdal says that the work in Trollstigen is challenging. Photo: Frederik Winness Ringnes / news It is the company Risa AS that has been given the job of race-proofing the area. – We had a challenge in that it snowed already in September. But despite this, we have largely managed to keep things going, says Sven Marius Ollestad, project manager at Risa AS. Sven Marius Ollestad hopes the road will be ready for opening next year. Photo: Frederik Winness Ringnes / news – We have already brought down a large part of the mountain. So there is no doubt that there was a need to secure the mountain, he adds. – Do you think that the Trollstigen will be opened in the spring? – Yes, that is our goal in any case. We hope to get as much done as possible this year. It depends on the weather, but we are optimistic. Popular job As long as the weather permits, 12 climbers will continue to work on the steep mountainside. The work takes place for large parts of the day. And for the workers, it was a special mission to work in Trollstigen. When Risa got the contract, many people were quick to sign up for the job. – I called the boss straight away. It’s not every day you get the chance to secure the Trollstigen. It’s a lot of fun, says mountain safety Ken Tore Søyland. – It’s the Trollstigen. The most famous road in Norway. Being able to say that you have helped secure the Trollstigen is great. We have picked from the top shelf and taken the most experienced people, says Ollestad. The work in Trollstigen continues as long as the weather conditions make it possible. Photo: Frederik Winness Ringnes / news Published 04.10.2024, at 15.53
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This is how they ensure that Trollstigen becomes safe again
