The Gudvanga Tunnel on the main E16 highway connecting Oslo and Bergen is expected to reopen to ordinary traffic early next week. It was forced to close, in the height of the tourist season, after a tour bus caught fire in the tunnel earlier this month.
The fire caused extensive damage and left five people injured. Highway authorities had expected the tunnel to remain closed for several weeks but now it may reopen, albeit with vehicles escorted in convoys.
The state highway department (Statens vegvesen) had already announced that convoys started to be arranged this week for large trucks and trailers over 7.5 tons and without passengers. Convoys were organized for westbound traffic from Flåm at 2am, 5am, 11:30am, 6pm and midnight from Wednesday, returning from Gudvangen eastbound to Flåm after the escort car had turned around as well.
Those convoys are due to continue next week and private vehicles now may also be able to drive through the tunnel starting next week. Officials said there may be periods with convoy driving as well.
newsinenglish.no staff
