Residents advocate for transportation agreement including five new road tunnels in Westfjords, Iceland

Residents of the Westfjords are advocating for a transportation agreement that includes the construction of five new road tunnels. A spokesperson for the Westfjords’ Infrastructure Society asserts that increased tax revenues from the local economy can support the costs involved.

This weekend, the Westfjords Assembly in Bjarnarfjörður passed a resolution in favor of the Infrastructure Society’s proposal for the Westfjords Line. This plan envisions five new tunnels and the doubling of the existing Westfjords tunnels, along with road improvements to enhance connections between commercial zones.

According to Gerður Björk Sveinsdóttir, the mayor of Vesturbyggð, there needs to be a shift in policy regarding tunnel construction in Iceland. She added that there were also proposals to prioritize the Álftafjörður tunnel, which would connect Súðavík and Ísafjörður. This project is currently fifth in the priority list of the Icelandic Road Administration. Gerður emphasized the need for collaboration rather than competing interests within the region.

The Westfjords’ Infrastructure Society represents the largest companies in the area. They estimate the cost of the five proposed tunnels to be around 84 billion Icelandic krónur. A spokesperson highlighted that this is a manageable figure when considering the region’s tax footprint and the anticipated economic growth, arguing that improved transportation could bolster the area’s economic significance and generate additional income for the nation.

The Westfjords Assembly’s resolution calls on the government to explore new financing avenues and collaborate with municipalities and the Infrastructure Society on the Westfjords Line initiative. Gerður expressed high hopes that this proposal would help propel these matters forward.