Police prepare for traffic chaos as cruise ship passengers change over

Police are preparing for severe traffic congestion at Sundahöfn when 3,000 passengers leave the cruise ship Celebrity Silhouette at 7am on Saturday and another 3,000 board around 11am, mbl.is reports.

Only one lane will be open through Vatnagarðar because of construction, with traffic directed alternately in each direction. At the same time, Sæbraut will be closed for the Reykjavík Marathon and may not reopen until 2pm, according to Árni Friðleifsson, deputy chief of the Reykjavík Metropolitan Police.

“These are just human traffic lights. Traffic will travel back and forth on one lane, so it will simply be managed,” Árni said.

Faxaflóahafnir has discussed with Eimskip whether a route could be opened through the company’s operating area, but those talks are not being handled by the police.

Police spoke with the contractor carrying out the work in Vatnagarðar this week to see whether two lanes could be opened. That was not possible, so traffic will be controlled over a single lane.

Árni said the situation was a serious concern and criticised the timing of the construction during Menningarnótt. Police have repeatedly urged those carrying out construction work in the capital area not to schedule it on that day.

He said police would monitor how traffic develops and take action if necessary. “There are 3,000 people leaving and 3,000 people arriving. Quite a number of vehicles are needed to transport them,” Árni said, adding that police might need to intervene “if everything turns completely chaotic.”