Héðinsfjarðargöng Explained

Héðinsfjörður Tunnel
Héðinsfjarðargöng
Location:Links Ólafsfjörður and Siglufjörður, Iceland
Route:76
Startwork:2006
Opened:2010
Owner:Vegagerðin
Traffic:Automotive
Character:Passenger
Vpd:Summer: 940 Winter: 520 (2022)
Length:6.9km (04.3miles) (southern tunnel),
3.7km (02.3miles) (northern tunnel)
Lanes:2
Hielevation:60m (200feet) (southern tunnel), 73m (240feet) (northern tunnel)
Lowelevation:6m (20feet) (southern tunnel), 12m (39feet) (northern tunnel)
Width:7.6m (24.9feet)
Grade:3%
Embedded:
Wikidata:yes

Héðinsfjarðargöng (pronounced as /is/) are two road tunnels in northern Iceland, connecting Ólafsfjörður and Siglufjörður. They were opened on October 2, 2010. The total cost was around ISK 12 billion ($106 million).

Social, economic and cultural impact of the tunnels

In 2008, a seven-year research project was initiated to evaluate the social, economic, and cultural impact of the Héðinsfjörður tunnels.[1] The project was directed by Professor Thoroddur Bjarnason and implemented by a research team at the University of Akureyri.

The results showed the tunnel traffic was above expectations.[2] There is considerable commuting between Ólafsfjörður and Siglufjörður, and the vast majority of residents travel between them for shopping, services, events, and social participation.[3] The regional economy has been strengthened, and satisfaction with prices and diversity of goods and services has increased.[4] Siglufjörður has become part of the Eyjafjörður tourism region and a destination for tourists between Akureyri and the Reykjavík capital region.

There has not been an increase in the number of overnight stays, and the predicted tourism circle around the Tröllaskagi peninsula has not materialized.[5] The services of state and municipality have been reduced, in part as result of the economic crisis of 2008. Residents are more satisfied with their educational opportunities but less satisfied with policing and access to health services. Tensions between residents of the two towns do not appear to have increased, even though Ólafsfjörður residents tend to think that they do not receive their fair share in public services.[6] A population increase has been observed in Siglufjörður, while population decline appears to have been halted in Ólafsfjörður.[7] There has in particular been an increase in the number of younger women, young children, and foreign citizens, and young people are more likely to expect to stay in their home community.

External links

66.0939°N -18.7972°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Niðurstöður á rannsóknum um Héðinsfjarðargöngin –. byggdathroun.is. 2015-10-03.
  2. Web site: Helstu niðurstöður. byggdathroun.is. 2015-10-03. 2015-10-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20151004185341/http://byggdathroun.is/hedinsfjardargong/helstu-nidurstodur/. dead.
  3. The effects of road infrastructure improvement on work travel in Northern Iceland. Journal of Transport Geography. 2014-12-01. 229–238. 41. 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2014.09.009. Thoroddur. Bjarnason. 20.500.11815/1074. free.
  4. Web site: Efnahagur einstaklinga í Fjallabyggð 2005 til 2012. Heiðarsson. Jón Þorvaldur.
  5. Web site: Bjarnason. www.thjodfelagid.is. 2015-10-03. 2015-10-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20151005135147/http://www.thjodfelagid.is/index.php/Th/article/view/63/pdf. dead.
  6. Web site: Félagslegur auður í Fjallabyggð fyrir og eftir Héðinsfjarðargöng..
  7. Web site: Bjarnason. www.thjodfelagid.is. 2015-10-03. 2015-10-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20151005135147/http://www.thjodfelagid.is/index.php/Th/article/view/63/pdf. dead.