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Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Rockslide closes main mountain highway

One of Norway’s most heavily trafficked highways over the mountains between Oslo and Bergen had to be closed between Voss and Gudvangen late Tuesday, after large boulders tumbled down the mountainside from a height of 800 meters. The popular E16 highway was damaged and blocked by the boulders, and there was danger of more slides.

State highway officials at Statens vegvesen reported Wednesday morning that road crews were already working to secure the area and eventually clear the road, but it was unclear when it could reopen. Geologists cited the danger of additional slides and said no work on the road itself could begin before the mountainside was stabilized.

That work was beginning Wednesday morning, with a helicopter first dousing the mountainside with water to intentionally loosen more rocks. Then it would take time, officials said, to remove the boulders in the road and repair the pavement.

Motorists would need to take alternative routes over the mountains in the meantime, such as RV7 over Hardangervidda, E134 over Haukelifjell or RV13 over Vikafjellet.

newsinenglish.no staff

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