Bridge elements are lifted into place. The Randklev bridge on the Dovrebanen will open again soon. – NRK Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio

The bridge over the Gudbrandsdalslågen on the Dovrebanen between Oslo and Trondheim was heavily damaged in the extreme weather “Hans” last August. Parts of the bridge ended up in the river.

Since then, the stretch has been closed to both goods traffic and passenger traffic.

But now there is hope. Today, the 1,450-ton crane is in action again.

The mighty crane has previously lifted the bridge elements out of the river. Now they will be lifted into place on the bridge.

– The bridge elements that are now strapped to the crane are the same that were in the river. They have been lying in a large tent on land and have been repaired. And now they must be hoisted back into place, says project manager Eivind Aslaksen Hamre.

On rails

According to the plan, the bridge will reopen on 20 May.

– This means that we can now reopen a main road between Oslo and Trondheim. This has been very tough, especially for freight traffic. They have not been able to transport as much freight on rail as is desirable, says project manager Hamre.

The disadvantages have been great for both the passengers and the train companies.

– Opening up the connection over the Gudbrandsdalslågen has had the highest priority for us, says Thor Gjermund Eriksen, CEO of Bane Nor.

Retired accountants with an interest in machinery

Roger Holden and Jon Kristoffer Stokkan from Trondheim have traveled 60 miles to see with their own eyes that the railway bridge over Gudbrandsdalslågen is being rebuilt.

They find it exciting to see the solid machines at work.

– Must get a bit of life, I think that’s important. We are retired and have plenty of time, says Jon Kristoffer Stokkan.

They have plenty of clothes and snacks with them and are determined to make the most of the day.

– It is great to get this here. It’s not often we see something like that.

They also take the train quite a bit and say it is important to get the line in order again.

– The bridge has been standing for many years, so it must have the chance to know the outer limit of what it can withstand. We must punish it for that, say the two.

I think it has gone fast

Many think it has taken a long time. The project manager does not agree with that.

– This has gone quite quickly compared to the complicated work that has been done, says Eivind Aslaksen Hamre.

The bridge elements that ended up in the river were lifted out in October and November last year. The actual repair of them has taken half a year.

Now there should be no danger of the bridge collapsing again.

– No, now we have built the bridge according to today’s requirements, with a new foundation. Then we have secured the old foundation so that they will withstand a new “Hans”, says Eivind Aslaksen Hamre.