A remote Norwegian island with just 24 permanent residents will receive a massive infrastructure investment. Local officials in Nordland county have approved plans to build a 448 million Norwegian kroner ($48 million) bridge connecting Hamnøya island to the mainland.
The island currently depends on ferry service from Forvik, a journey that takes approximately ten minutes. This ferry forms part of the famous Coastal Route along the Helgeland coast, a popular tourist destination. During summer months, ferry queues can stretch up to 500 meters long, creating major transportation challenges.
Local farmer Inger Robertsen described the practical difficulties of island life. "My partner and I take separate trips to town so someone is always home to handle the barn chores if the other cannot return," Robertsen explained. The dairy farmer cannot risk missing milk collection, as delayed pickup could mean having to discard the milk entirely.
Financial and organization committee leader Aina Nilsen stated the bridge will create completely new opportunities for Vevelstad municipality. The project appears in the Regional Transport Plan covering 2022 through 2033 and received funding consideration in the economic plan for 2024 to 2027.
Transport committee representative Richard Dagsvik noted the ferry sees limited daily use, with just 15 to 20 vehicles using the service each day. He emphasized that building a bridge would eliminate needed upgrades to the island's deteriorating ferry dock, which requires substantial investment.
A recent report indicates Nordland county could save 1.7 million kroner annually by eliminating ferry service to Hamnøya if the bridge gets built. Officials plan to spend next year calculating potential savings from the bridge project.
The bridge represents a classic Nordic dilemma balancing infrastructure costs against rural community needs. While serving few permanent residents, the island also contains 50 vacation properties and supports five active farms requiring regular transport of fuel, animal feed, and livestock vehicles.
Local residents have waited for improved access since the 1980s. Robertsen expressed overwhelming relief about the bridge approval despite the projected 2031 completion date. "That sounds like a long time, but we have waited since the 80s - over 40 years. If we must wait a few more years, we will manage," she said.
The project highlights Norway's ongoing commitment to maintaining viable rural communities despite high per-capita infrastructure costs. With only 480 total residents in Vevelstad municipality, the bridge investment exceeds 930,000 kroner per municipal resident, demonstrating significant public spending on rural connectivity.