Skip to main content

Norway’s crumbling roads

A report by Norway’s Public Roads Administration (Vegvesenet) indicates that a large proportion of the country’s trunk roads have either bad or very bad surfacing. The data shows that one-third of the country’s trunk road network is in poor condition and requires repair.
May 14, 2012 Read time: 1 min
A report by Norway’s Public Roads Administration (Vegvesenet) indicates that a large proportion of the country’s trunk roads have either bad or very bad surfacing.

The data shows that one-third of the country’s trunk road network is in poor condition and requires repair. However, the Vegvesenet has to cope with a drop in the funds available for repairs. While the Vegvesenet has seen its funds available top €519 million, this increase has been negated by the rising cost of its long term maintenance contracts.

It is worth noting that while Norway suffers bad winter weather conditions that result in rapid road wear, the country is also one of the world’s most affluent nations thanks to its oil industry.

Related Content

  • The cost of crashes in the US
    May 25, 2023
    The financial cost of road crashes in the US places a heavy burden
  • Traffic reduction for Denmark and Norway
    March 26, 2020

    A major traffic reduction has been noted for Denmark and Norway.

    The Scandinavian countries of Denmark and Norway have note significant reductions in vehicle traffic. According to data from the Danish Road Directorate, traffic volumes have dropped 45% since the outbreak of the Corona Virus. However, the reduction has been in passenger car traffic. The volumes of heavy trucks using Denmark’s roads remains relatively unchanged.

  • Harsh winter weather impacts on road surfaces
    February 27, 2012
    With warmer weather now spreading across the Northern Hemisphere, the impact of a second successive harsh winter can finally be seen on the roads of many nations. The transport links of many countries were affected badly by tough winter conditions. From the US to Russia and the 27 European Union members, heavy snow blocked roads and led to endless delays.
  • Resilient roads: sector cooperation is the key
    March 11, 2021
    Now is the time for national road agencies and the private sector to cooperate on building more climate resilient roads, urges Dr Erik Denneman*.