The minister of Interior, Ólöf Nordal, hopes to move part of Ring Road 1 in East Iceland. The current road, which passes over Breiðdalsheiði heath, often becomes impassable during winter. Last year, the road was closed for 156 days in total.
According to Fréttablaðið newspaper, the minster’s proposal involves moving the road so that it will pass through the villages of Stöðvarfjörður, Fáskrúðsfjörður and Reyðarfjörður. This stretch of road was only closed for 3 days in 2015.
The idea is supported by a large majority of towns’ residents who believe the adjustment would boost traffic safety. Others argue that parts of the alternative road are not designed to support increased traffic and point out that the village of Egilsstaðir could face potential loss of trade should the plans go ahead. The current road runs directly to Egilsstaðir from the southeast, whereas the new road would run through three villages before reaching Egilsstaðir.
Sigurður Gunnarsson, who runs a travel company in Seyðisfjörður, claims foreign guests frequently find themselves in trouble when navigating the Breiðdalsheiði road. “When these people return home, I’m sure they’ll advise friends against visiting East Iceland in winter. The current road greatly impacts the tourism industry in East Iceland and it’s a disgrace,” he said.
The minister of Interior, Ólöf Nordal, hopes to move part of Ring Road 1 in East Iceland. The current road, which passes over Breiðdalsheiði heath, often becomes impassable during winter. Last year, the road was closed for 156 days in total.
According to Fréttablaðið newspaper, the minster’s proposal involves moving the road so that it will pass through the villages of Stöðvarfjörður, Fáskrúðsfjörður and Reyðarfjörður. This stretch of road was only closed for 3 days in 2015.
The idea is supported by a large majority of towns’ residents who believe the adjustment would boost traffic safety. Others argue that parts of the alternative road are not designed to support increased traffic and point out that the village of Egilsstaðir could face potential loss of trade should the plans go ahead. The current road runs directly to Egilsstaðir from the southeast, whereas the new road would run through three villages before reaching Egilsstaðir.
Sigurður Gunnarsson, who runs a travel company in Seyðisfjörður, claims foreign guests frequently find themselves in trouble when navigating the Breiðdalsheiði road. “When these people return home, I’m sure they’ll advise friends against visiting East Iceland in winter. The current road greatly impacts the tourism industry in East Iceland and it’s a disgrace,” he said.
