The more than 100-year-old walls along the Drammenselva need to be upgraded. Remedial work is planned for the autumn, but a recent preliminary investigation revealed that the condition of the wall downstream of Ypsilon is worse than expected. Barriers have therefore been set up along the hiking route to prevent the wall from collapsing.
Last changed: 06/05/2024
The wall on the north side of the river between Bybrua and Øvre Sund consists of granite stones stacked on logs that have been knocked into the ground.
– Considering that the retaining wall was built approx. in 1920, we have been aware that it must be improved. In the autumn of 2022, we carried out a condition assessment of the retaining walls along the north side of the Drammenselva. The report revealed that there is a great need for improvement of several of the walls, says business manager for transport, roads and parks Frode Vestgarden.
In the report, the wall downstream of Ypsilon was assessed as being in danger of collapsing. As this is a much-used hiking trail, funds have been allocated to improve the wall this year.
Worse than expected
Recently, a more thorough preliminary investigation was carried out which shows that the wall is so unstable that it is in acute danger of collapsing. The municipality has therefore set up barricades along the hiking route so that no one will move too far out on the edge.
A new wall will be built after the summer
Work is currently underway to design a new retaining wall. The job will then be put out to tender, with a contract concluded in July. Construction work will start as soon as practicable after the summer holidays.
– According to the plan, we will be finished before next summer. The barriers will therefore remain in place for quite some time to come. We ask that everyone respects the barriers and takes each other into account now that the hiking route is a little narrower than normal, concludes Vestgarden.
No mooring of boats allowed
Due to the unstable wall, it is also not permitted to moor boats in the area that is blocked off. A sign will be put up facing the river informing that the jetty is closed.
