The counties of Oslo and Akershus have agreed on financing for a long-planned public transport line between Oslo and the redeveloped Fornebu area west of the capital, which was dominated by Oslo’s former airport. The line was intially viewed as light-rail line, but now will be part of Oslo’s metro system that extends into Bærum and Akershus County.
It’s only an 8.3-kilometer-long line, but important for commuters. It’s now planned to run from the tram and bus hub at Majorstuen in Oslo to Fornebu.
The project has been held up by uncertainty over the state government’s contribution to the tram line, which is meant to replace car- and bus traffic (and their emissions). Fornebu now features large housing and commercial business developments, including the headquarters for such large firms as Telenor and Aker, and commuter options have been few.
Oslo’s city government threatened to halt all planning until the state confirmed its support. The line, called Fornebubanen, is expected to cost around NOK 16.2 billion (USD 1.9 billion).
newsinenglish.no staff
