– The bridge will be closed for long, but I can not say anything more about what long does, says Department Ingunn Foss at Road Administration in Vestfold.
Trailer in midair
E18 was Monday afternoon closed in both directions at Bentsrud Holmestrand. Skjeggestad Bridge on E18 fell partly together Monday afternoon. In the southbound direction have failed foundations, piers have partially given in and there is a marked dump in the bridge. It hangs in midair, and the northbound direction, it is also unsafe, according to the Public Roads Administration.
Traffic goes through Holmestrand
The traffic between Helland junction and Iceland junction on the E18 is redirected through Holmestrand.
– Should not happen 15 years old bridge
Transport Minister Ketil Solvik-Olsen (FRP) says he is primarily glad that no one was injured in Monday’s incident, which he describes as “serious”.
– this is not supposed to happen to a bridge that is 15 years old. Therefore Public Roads and NVE begun work to investigate what has happened and how it can be fixed, says Solvik-Olsen.
Bs motorists pay attention
He says they will turn all stones to limit the problems motorists get as a result of diversions. He hopes in particular that heavy traffic will use additional capacity on the ferry route Horten-Moss.
– It runs 10,000 cars daily on the route in question. Now they must on minor roads which are intended less traffic, says Solvik-Olsen, who asks motorists to take this into consideration.
– Norwegian bridges are safe
He says they already bought more capacity NSB and that this was extended on 15 December, but that one must now see if it is possible and desirable with further reallocations.
– This is a common bridge– the other bridges safe?
– Norwegian bridges have good standard and are safe. Therefore, it is also so startling that this happened. Now you need NPRA and NVE few examine what was the cause of this incident so that possibly can get new information and learn from it, says Solvik-Olsen.
He notes that they have initiated an upgrade of the tunnels in Norway and will after brokollapsen is undergone, discuss with the Public Roads Administration about something similar is needed for bridges.
Asking people use trains
Also Deputy Ingunn Foss in Public Roads points out that the capacity of the side roads is less.
– We therefore urge those who can, to use for example train, she said.
She says that Road Administration is now committed to putting in place signs.
– We must expect significant congestion ahead in the morning and afternoon of Tuesday, says Foss.
NSB will however not initially inserting additional trains.
– We we currently use the capacity we have, and we will continuously maintain contact with Public Roads to assess the potential need for reallocation and insert additional materials, says pressevakt Gina Scholz.
Everything started during rush hour already
She notes that in rush hours already have all available trains in traffic.
– Should there be a lot of people on trains in rush, we will remind the traveler that there is more space if you have the opportunity to travel a bit before or a bit after rush hour, she said.
Examines bridge
Technical experts began Monday worked on the bridge and the ground beneath it continues its work Tuesday .
– Can you say something about who has responsibility for ensuring that this happened?
– No. Now you must bridge investigated and the cause. That is the main job now, says press officer Kjell Bjørn Vinje NPRA.
Read also: – Auto front of me disappeared
See Erik Lindhagen tell as he drove over the collapsed bridge:
– A tough experience
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