Right-turn closure causes long queues at Reykjavík junction

A temporary closure of a right-turn lane from Miklabraut towards Grensásvegur has caused long queues, mbl.is reported on Sunday.

The closure affects westbound traffic. Bjarni Rúnar Ingvarsson, head of transport at Reykjavík City, said the right-turn slip lane would not be removed, as happened at Höfðabakki last year.

Four new raised pedestrian crossings are being installed at the junction, where traffic turns right from the main road through right-turn slip lanes. Lighting will also be improved with new poles and street lamps.

Changes will be made to central traffic islands and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. New drains will be installed, followed by groundworks and surface finishing when the project is completed.

Safety improvements

Ingvarsson said the raised crossings would slow vehicles turning right. Pedestrians have priority at the crossings, and he said serious accidents had occurred when drivers turned while looking left to monitor traffic on the road they were entering, losing sight of pedestrians to their right.

Improved lighting is intended to make pedestrians and cyclists more visible. Ingvarsson said all such slip lanes presented a risk, particularly where there were many pedestrians and cyclists.

A large bus stop is located nearby, and five accidents involving unprotected road users have occurred at the junction. One was a serious accident at the right turn from Grensásvegur westbound on April 14, 2016.

Delays to project

Ingvarsson said the design had been more complicated and taken longer than expected. He referred further questions about the project to Vegagerðin, which is overseeing the work.

Ylfa Rakel Ólafsdóttir, the project manager at Vegagerðin, said the work was intended to improve the safety of crossings for unprotected road users on main roads in the capital area, where traffic is heavy and often fast.

She said the project had originally been scheduled to start earlier in the summer, but delays during the preparation stage postponed the start. She added that Iceland’s construction season was relatively short because of weather and other conditions, meaning it was not always possible to carry out every project during the peak of summer, even though traffic was generally lighter then.

Vegagerðin said it understood that the work could cause inconvenience and delays for road users. Working hours at the site are set with regard to staff safety and access to equipment.