Repairs underway on Vestfjardavegur road in Dölum as conditions worsen in Westfjords

Repairs are underway on the Vestfjardavegur road in Dölum, which has been without a sealed surface since spring. A section of approximately several kilometers in Mid-Dalum has remained a gravel road since it was severely damaged when frost left the ground earlier this year.

Long stretches of roads in the West and Westfjords regions are in poor condition. Damage led to the removal of the surface layer in both Dölum and Reykhólasveit, with plans for resurfacing possibly by next spring.

The staff at Vegagerðin, the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, are currently working to repair these sections, which have been unpaved since spring. A cement-bound base layer is being applied to withstand heavy transport traffic in the area.

According to Haukur Árni Hermannsson, a supervisor for Vegagerðin in the West region, the repairs are progressing well. The process involves mixing a specific quantity of cement into the road’s base layer to enhance its strength, ensuring it can support traffic to and from the Westfjords.

Despite the ongoing repairs, Birgitta Rán Ásgeirsdóttir, a design manager at Vegagerðin, notes that there is still considerable work ahead before the entire road can be deemed acceptable. The winter season will be used to assess the remaining road sections in critical condition, preparing for potential work next spring, dependent on available funding.

The situation is particularly concerning in Vesturland and the Westfjords, with Birgitta expressing worries about the risk of road collapses, particularly in areas that have experienced significant wear due to frost.