Local mayors demand immediate safety upgrades after three crashes in 20 days on controversial highway

Four mayors in North Zealand have urged the Danish Road Directorate to act immediately on safety improvements for the Hillerødmotorvej extension, following three serious crashes—including a fatal collision—in just 20 days, DR reports.

The mayors of Gribskov, Allerød, Hillerød, and Furesø sent a second letter to the Road Directorate after receiving a response to their initial concerns. The agency stated that technical investigations into the March 26 fatal crash are ongoing and that the road will be reconfigured by late summer to eliminate its current 2-1 lane system, where traffic alternates between one and two lanes in each direction.

Allerød Mayor Clara Rao (Venstre) criticised the timeline, calling for urgent action. “We cannot continue like this with the number of accidents recently. Safety must be improved now, not in late summer,” she said. “The Road Directorate acknowledges the need for better safety—so why not act immediately? Why wait?”

Gribskov Mayor Trine Egetved (Konservative) echoed the call, arguing that authorities should take proactive steps, such as adjusting lane transitions, rather than waiting for the planned upgrades. The extension is currently being expanded into a full motorway to improve safety, but Egetved stressed that delays are unacceptable given the recent crashes, including incidents on Monday and Tuesday.

DR has requested comment from the Road Directorate.