Rules prevent expanded winter service on Nesvegur, road authority says

The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration says it cannot increase winter service on Nesvegur, a road on the Reykjanes peninsula, beyond three days a week under current rules, Morgunblaðið reported.

Businesses in the area have raised concerns that the limited service does not meet local traffic, operational or safety needs. Several companies operate there, and Samherji is building its Eldisgarður facility within Reykjanes Resource Park.

Minutes from Reykjanesbær’s executive and business and harbour councils last month said Nesvegur should be classified as a main road to accommodate growing freight needs, business development and increased tourist traffic on Reykjanes.

The Association of Municipalities in Suðurnes has urged the road authority and the Minister of Infrastructure to review the road’s service classification without delay and provide enough funding for winter service every day when weather and road conditions require it.

In a response to the newspaper, the road authority said its powers are governed by winter service rules published in the Official Gazette, most recently in 2018. It said it has neither the ability nor the authority to provide more service than those rules allow. Service is provided seven days a week if the area is placed at a danger or emergency level.