The construction of a temporary bridge over Stenavötn river east of Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon will take at least a week. The road will remain closed until the temporary bridge has been completed. The Ring Road was closed yesterday at the river after it's foundation had been undermined by the flooding of Steinavötn.
Read more: 120 travellers stranded by floods airlifted from S.E. Iceland
Rivers and streams in South East and East Iceland have swollen in recent days following torrential rains. The swelling rivers have caused flooding which has breached the Ring Road in Hornafjörður fjord in at least three places as well as damaging bridges. The road will remain closed while the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration repairs the damages and ensures bridges are safe.
Read more: Photos: See the destruction and flooding in South East Iceland
According to an announcement from the IRCA the bridge over Steinavötn river has been too badly damaged by the floods to justify repairs and a new bridge must be built. In the meantime the IRCA will erect a temporary bridge over the river. The estimated construction time is one week if everything goes according to plan, according to the announcement. Road crews have already begun preparation for the work, but the actual construction will not start until the flooding has subsided and the torrential rains stopped.
For a full reporting on the storm and its effects see our previous stories:
Early Wednesday morning the Ring Road in Berufjörður had been closed: Travel alert: Swelling rivers in E. Iceland due to heavy rain. Ring Road re-opened in Berufjörður
Wednesday afternoon ICE-SAR helped rescue sheep in East Iceland: Flock of lambs drowns: ICE-SAR rescues sheep in floods caused by torrential rain in E. Iceland
Later on Wednesday afternoon the Ring Road was closed in Hornafjörður fjord: Travel alert: Ring Road has been closed by Hólmsá river in S.E. Iceland
Wednesday evening it became clear the Ring Road will not be re-opened for a while: UPDATE Travel alert: Ring Road in East Iceland will remain closed due to flooding
Early Thursday morning travellers who spent the night in emergency shelters woke up to make new travel plans as the Ring Road will remain closed for 2-3 days: 60-70 travellers spent night in emergency shelters: Ring Road to remain closed in SE Iceland for 2-3 days due to floods
Thursday noon the IRCA closed the Ring Road at Steinavöð river: Ring Road now closed at second point between Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon and town of Höfn
Thursday an uncertainty phase was declared for the areas in South East Iceland worst hit by the floods: Civil Protection Agency has declared Uncertainty Level for S.E. Iceland
Thursday afternoon the Coast Guard flew supplies to farmers cut off by the flood: 20-25 farms cut off due to floods in S.E. Iceland: Ring Road has suffered serious damage
The construction of a temporary bridge over Stenavötn river east of Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon will take at least a week. The road will remain closed until the temporary bridge has been completed. The Ring Road was closed yesterday at the river after it's foundation had been undermined by the flooding of Steinavötn.
Read more: 120 travellers stranded by floods airlifted from S.E. Iceland
Rivers and streams in South East and East Iceland have swollen in recent days following torrential rains. The swelling rivers have caused flooding which has breached the Ring Road in Hornafjörður fjord in at least three places as well as damaging bridges. The road will remain closed while the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration repairs the damages and ensures bridges are safe.
Read more: Photos: See the destruction and flooding in South East Iceland
According to an announcement from the IRCA the bridge over Steinavötn river has been too badly damaged by the floods to justify repairs and a new bridge must be built. In the meantime the IRCA will erect a temporary bridge over the river. The estimated construction time is one week if everything goes according to plan, according to the announcement. Road crews have already begun preparation for the work, but the actual construction will not start until the flooding has subsided and the torrential rains stopped.
For a full reporting on the storm and its effects see our previous stories:
Early Wednesday morning the Ring Road in Berufjörður had been closed: Travel alert: Swelling rivers in E. Iceland due to heavy rain. Ring Road re-opened in Berufjörður
Wednesday afternoon ICE-SAR helped rescue sheep in East Iceland: Flock of lambs drowns: ICE-SAR rescues sheep in floods caused by torrential rain in E. Iceland
Later on Wednesday afternoon the Ring Road was closed in Hornafjörður fjord: Travel alert: Ring Road has been closed by Hólmsá river in S.E. Iceland
Wednesday evening it became clear the Ring Road will not be re-opened for a while: UPDATE Travel alert: Ring Road in East Iceland will remain closed due to flooding
Early Thursday morning travellers who spent the night in emergency shelters woke up to make new travel plans as the Ring Road will remain closed for 2-3 days: 60-70 travellers spent night in emergency shelters: Ring Road to remain closed in SE Iceland for 2-3 days due to floods
Thursday noon the IRCA closed the Ring Road at Steinavöð river: Ring Road now closed at second point between Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon and town of Höfn
Thursday an uncertainty phase was declared for the areas in South East Iceland worst hit by the floods: Civil Protection Agency has declared Uncertainty Level for S.E. Iceland
Thursday afternoon the Coast Guard flew supplies to farmers cut off by the flood: 20-25 farms cut off due to floods in S.E. Iceland: Ring Road has suffered serious damage
