Well the saga continues. The tunnel that was built a couple of decades ago to provide a safer road both into and out of Øksfjord has been under continuous fixing projects since 2009. The one lane, dark, damp and icy stretch of road that lasts for over four kilometres has been closed since the summer. The council opened the previously closed coastal road with the assurance that the improved tunnel would be re opened for business before the heavy snowfalls arrived along with the avalanche warning season. Well, as most 4 year olds know, late November in northern Norway brings lots of snow. It has done so for a thousand years and will continue to do so for the next thousand or so.
The tunnel remains closed as more bucket loads of dough has been poured into a project that has proven to be as effective as an inflatable dartboard. The seasonal snow has resulted in avalanche warnings and unsafe roads. So now, the road that was so dangerous in winter that a tunnel needed to be built to provide a safer route, is closed. The tunnel that was to provide the safer route, is also closed. Locals have debated in depth as to which route is indeed the most dangerous as anyone who has braved the tunnel journey could attest to. It looks as though for the time being that the Christmas shopping pilgrimage to Alta will have to wait, unless other transport methods can be arranged. One generous, local business tycoon took it upon himself to transport stranded and frustrated locals from the other side of the tunnel to back home with the use of his spacious boat.
If it wasn't so damn frustrating, it would be amusing. The jokes about taking an entry fee and promoting the tunnel as some kind of scary theme park are beginning to wear thin. Perhaps a new sign should be erected...Welcome to Øksfjord, home of the country's worst tunnel!
Posted with Blogsy
Hi Simon - I cycled through that darned tunnel back in July 2011! Someone told me I'd be able to use the old road. Well that person obviously hadn't tried to go along that rubble strewn expanse of torn up tarmac. Came across your site while contemplating another bike trip through northern Norway. Enjoyed reading your rambles. Hope you're surviving the winter okay! Martin in Wales
ReplyDeleteHi Martin, thanks for reading, have survived the winter, as peering outside, the slushy snow is rapidly melting. The midnight sun period is fast approaching, a fantastic time for bike trips. I hope you get up here. I am determined to climb back on to the writing horse soonish...
ReplyDeletecheers,
Luke and Simon