Minister says Sundabraut cost cannot yet be settled

Iceland’s infrastructure minister, Eyjólfur Ármannsson, said the cost of the Sundabraut road project is estimated at 140 billion to 160 billion krónur, but cannot be settled while it remains unclear whether it will be built with a bridge or a tunnel, mbl.is reported.

During an unscheduled question session in parliament, Centre Party MP Bergþór Ólason asked why the estimated cost of Sundabraut and new Hvalfjörður tunnels had risen from 130 billion to 200 billion krónur in five months. Ólason said the minister had referred to a 130 billion króna figure in May. Ármannsson said he did not recall doing so.

“I don’t know where he gets these 130 billion,” Ármannsson said. He added that if he had mentioned the figure, it would have depended on whether the plans involved a tunnel or a bridge.

No tender has been issued, and a decision has not been made on whether Sundabraut will use a tunnel or a bridge. A planning proposal from Reykjavík City is also still pending. Ármannsson said the cost would depend on the design, including the height of any bridge or the location of tunnel entrances.

He also referred to a disputed 20 billion króna consultancy contract for Sundabraut and the new Hvalfjörður tunnels. He said the company, Göng og brú, was itself deciding as a separate company to purchase consultancy services from outside.