Construction work on the widening of the Reykjanesbraut begins

The Road Administration and Ístak signed a contract for the widening of the Reykjanesbraut, from Kaldárselsvegur west to the Krýsuvíkurgatnamót, at the weekend. Four bids were received for the project. The Road Administration entered into a contract with Ístak following a thorough evaluation of the bids. According to plans, construction is due to begin in early May. The project is scheduled for completion on 1 November 2020. The Road Administration has also signed a contract with Mannvit for project supervision.

Information page for the widening of the Reykjanesbraut in Hafnarfjörður

The dualling of the road is a joint project between the Road Administration and the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður. Preparations for the dualling began in 2013 with the construction of a pedestrian and cycle underpass at Suðurbraut, and then in 2017 with the construction of a flyover at Krýsuvíkurveg.

The Reykjanes Road will be dualled on the section from Kaldársel Road west to the Krýsuvíkur Road junction by building a new carriageway south of the existing road. The road will have a three-metre-wide central reservation between the carriageways with crash barriers on both sides. The road will be cut down to a depth of up to 4 metres in two sections: firstly, on the section from the current footbridge at Ásland to Strandgata, and secondly, through Hvaleyrarhóll from Þorláks tún to west of the new underpass at Suðurbraut. On that section, the path will also be slightly curved to the south. This creates room for a potential realignment of Suðurbraut by Hvaleyrarskóli. Two recent underpasses under the Reykjanesbraut, the pedestrian one at Suðurbraut and the underpass at the flyover junction with Krýsuvíkurveg, were built for a dual-carriageway Reykjanesbraut. However, the bridge over Strandgata needs to be widened, and this is part of the works.

Walking routes

Two new footbridges will be built over the Reykjanesbraut. The first will be between Hvammur and Ásland, opposite Álftaás. The second will replace the current underpass at Þorlákstún. The bridges will be steel arch bridges, spanning the road in a single span.

Soundproofing

Alongside the widening of the Reykjanesbraut, extensive measures will be taken to reduce traffic noise in the vicinity of the road. A new noise barrier will be constructed between the Reykjanesbraut and Ásbraut opposite Erluás. To install it, the footpath will need to be reconstructed from the end of the existing footbridge up to Goðatorg. The sound barrier on Ásbraut opposite Álftaás will also be raised where the new footbridge will be located. The sound barriers at Hvammur will be reconstructed. So-called soil cells will be used closest to the track to achieve better sound insulation. At Suðurhvamm, glass walls will also be erected on top of the embankment, extending into Strandgata. In addition, a sound barrier will be installed along the north side of the Strandgata bridge and between the slip roads at the junction. Additionally, a timber sound barrier will be installed along Þúfubarði where a fence currently stands. Sound insulation will also be installed in Þorlákstún. In the eastern section, high embankments with soil cells will be constructed, while the western section will feature a conventional earth bund. The detailed plan for Þorlákstún provides for the land to be raised from its current level. It is proposed to use surplus material from the project to raise the ground there. Finally, localised noise barriers are planned for the HS Veitur connection station opposite Suðurholt.