Norway's vital E18 highway faces significant disruption this month as both bridges in Sandvika will close for critical repairs. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has warned drivers to expect major queues during two separate weekends in late January, urging the use of public transport or alternative travel times.
Each bridge will be closed for approximately 40 hours during the weekends of January 23-25 and January 30-February 1. Traffic will be reduced to two-way flow on the single open bridge during each closure period, creating a severe bottleneck on one of the country's busiest commuter arteries west of Oslo.
"Since the capacity on the E18 past Sandvika will be significantly reduced while the repair work is ongoing, there will be queues," said section chief Gunnar Eiterjord of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. "We encourage road users to allow plenty of time for this stretch. Otherwise, it might be wise to travel at other times or use public transport."
The closures are scheduled from Friday at 9:00 PM until Sunday at 12:00 PM on each affected weekend. The first closure targets one bridge, with the second bridge closing the following weekend. This sequential approach aims to maintain some traffic flow, but officials acknowledge it will not prevent congestion.
A Concrete Problem with Deep Roots
The repairs address a serious and progressive structural issue known as alkali-silica reaction (ASR). This chemical reaction occurs within the concrete itself, causing it to expand and crack over time. In the Sandvika bridges, the reaction has damaged the concrete piles supporting the southern end abutments, with some piles having already fractured.
Eiterjord emphasized that the bridges remain safe for travel but explained the damage causes movement and vibrations at the bridge ends. "The movement causes the embankments next to the bridges to sink, and a ridge forms in the asphalt," he stated. "Over time, this could develop and cause further damage that would be more extensive to repair. That is why it is necessary to do the repairs now."
This type of concrete degradation is a known challenge in infrastructure maintenance, particularly for bridges of a certain age exposed to moisture and de-icing salts. The Sandvika bridges, critical links for the Bærum municipality and western access to Oslo, cannot be left untreated.
The Technical Fix and Its Traffic Impact
Repair work is already underway. Crews have installed four new piles—one on each side of both bridges. The next critical phase involves pouring new concrete beams between these new piles beneath each bridge deck. This process demands complete stillness.
"When the beams are poured and the concrete cures, there cannot be any vibrations," Eiterjord explained. "The bridge in question must therefore be closed to traffic for about 40 hours. The work is planned so that the closure time is as short as possible."
The 40-hour window allows the concrete to achieve sufficient strength to bear traffic loads again. The Public Roads Administration has coordinated these closures for weekends to minimize impact on commercial and commuter traffic, though weekend travel in the region remains heavy.
Commuter Chaos and Alternative Routes
The E18 through Sandvika is a primary corridor connecting Oslo to major western suburbs like Bærum, Asker, and Drammen, as well as the coastal areas of Vestfold. An estimated tens of thousands of vehicles use this stretch daily, even on weekends.
The reduction to a single bridge with two-way traffic will slash capacity by more than half. Historical data from similar single-lane incidents on this route suggests queues could extend several kilometers, with travel time through the area multiplying.
Drivers are advised to consider alternative routes, though options are limited. The E16 north through Sandvika offers a partial alternative but connects to local roads not designed for high-volume diversion traffic. The RV150 along the coast is another possibility but is a slower, less direct route for most travelers.
The strongest official recommendation is to use public transport. The Bergen Railway line runs parallel to the E18, with stations at Sandvika, Asker, and Lysaker providing frequent local and regional train service. Several bus lines also serve the area, though they will likely be affected by increased passenger numbers and potential road congestion.
A Broader Infrastructure Challenge
The Sandvika bridge repairs highlight a persistent national issue: the maintenance of Norway's aging transport infrastructure. Many key roads, bridges, and tunnels were built during the rapid expansion of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s and are now reaching an age where major refurbishment is necessary.
"This is the reality of infrastructure management," said a transport analyst familiar with the sector. "The bill for the maintenance and renewal of our post-war building boom is coming due. We will see more of these disruptive but essential projects in the coming decade."
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration operates under constant pressure to balance necessary repairs with minimizing public inconvenience. Planned, weekend-long closures, while disruptive, are often the most cost-effective and fastest method to complete complex structural work compared to longer-term partial closures or overnight work.
Looking Beyond the January Closures
This weekend work is part of a larger repair project for the Sandvika bridges. While the critical beam-pouring necessitates full closure, other associated repair work may continue outside these hours, potentially with lane restrictions or reduced speed limits.
Drivers should monitor the Public Roads Administration's website and traffic apps like Vegvesen's Trafikk for real-time updates and confirmed closure times. The agency also uses dynamic message signs along the highway to warn approaching motorists of delays.
The success of these repairs will be measured not only in the restored structural integrity of the bridges but also in how effectively the traffic management plans contain disruption. The closures serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of centralized transport networks and the hidden dependencies of daily commutes.
Will these two weekends of planned chaos lead to a longer-term solution for the Sandvika bridges, or are they merely a temporary fix in an ongoing battle against concrete decay? The answer lies in the quality of the repair and the relentless pressure of traffic that will resume as soon as the barriers are lifted.