On Thursday, convoy driving has been introduced on national highway 7 over Hardangervidda due to storms and snow drifts.
– For those who are going out for a drive and are not already in the queue, I would probably drive another way, says traffic operator Marianne Hove.
At one point, there was a waiting time of around six hours on both sides, according to Vegtrafikksentralen.
– There are both difficult driving conditions and fairly reduced visibility, says Hove.
In an update at 20:23, the Swedish Road Traffic Center writes that there is now approximately a four-hour waiting time on the west side, while there is no waiting time on the east side.
A yellow danger warning has already been sent out about snow drifts in the mountains in southern Norway, which applies on Thursday afternoon and throughout the evening and night.
– It seems that there are a lot of people who have chosen to travel today and have chosen this mountain pass. When they only take 25 cars at a time, there will be a long wait.
The recommended detour is via Aurland-Hol or over Hemsedalsfjellet.
Strong wind and snow led to very reduced visibility on the Hardangervidda. This picture was taken from the Swedish Road Administration’s camera at Skulevika at around 18.10 on Thursday.
Photo: Norwegian Road Administration
Longer waiting time all Thursday
Earlier on Thursday, there was a so-called controlled traffic flow over Hardangervidda. Normal column driving was then introduced.
At 1 p.m., there was a four-hour wait in both directions. Then the queue at Leiro boom looked like this:
Queue at Leiro tollbooth on Thursday at 1pm.
Photo: Norwegian Public Roads Administration webcam
– It has been a bit off and on today. When there was controlled traffic management, they managed to clear some of it, but then the conditions worsened a bit and then it became the usual convoy driving. Then there will soon be longer queues again, says Hove.
According to Hove, there is a high probability that there will continue to be convoy driving until the evening.
– For those who are already in the queue and who cannot turn around, it is important to keep warm. Also, it takes the time it takes to get over.
NRK has previously made a video with tips if you have to go out in column driving:
If you are going over a mountain pass, you may have to drive in a convoy. Here you will get good tips.
Published
28.03.2024, at 18.41
Updated
28.03.2024, at 21.14
Tags: hours waiting time Hardangervidda Column driving introduced due storms snowpack NRK Vestland
