More volume of cups than before

There is a lot of pressure on the country’s road systems after unusually hot and sunny days in recent times and the condition of garments in many ways has become very bad. « This is a problem that has arisen before, but maybe not to the same scale as it is now, » says Bergþóra Kristinsdóttir, Director of the Road Administration, about the situation.

« It is both sanctified by the fact that there have been quite unusually many very hot and sunny days, day after day, but also because we have quite a lot of garments that have become bad and need to be renewed, » she says, referring to the weather recently and bad condition.

« Last year we got biking, especially in the East, but nothing in the southwest corner, it was simply not so much heat. The clothes were also not as badly gone as it is now. What happens now is that many things are ranked in the worst way, then this situation comes up, » says Berthora about the cause.

Roads are badly gone widely

Bergthora says that around the country, especially in the West, roads are badly gone after the winter. Asked if climate change is the main cause, she does not necessarily say so.

« The situation has been prolonged in the West, both on the ring road in Borgarfjörður and Brattubrekka. Also on Snæfellsnesvegur, » she says. « This morning we were getting a lot of announcements from the South and in the uplands there. This also came up this weekend in East Iceland, North Iceland and Olafsfjardurvegur. Which is perhaps in line with the state of the road system, ”says Bergthora.

Want asphalt more chapters

The Road Administration has staff and contractors on duty in a response position with notifications received. « We are trying to sand first and foremost. Have been sanding and liquiding to try to cool the surface of the cladding. »

Asked if the problem is related to the fact that it is a garment, but not asphalt, she says so. « Yes, certainly. This is a combination because we have clothes in places where the traffic load is so great that it would be more desirable to have asphalt. But our road system is big and it is very expensive to asphalt it all, we don’t do it in a few years.

Who is responsible for damage?

If there is damage to vehicles due to biking, Bergthora encourages people to report it. « It depends on the circumstances, where and what it is, so I can’t say responsibility. But we point people to the Road Administration’s website, where there is clear information on how damage reports are handled. »

Encourages drivers to be careful

Bergthora says it is most important that drivers will notify if they become aware of the biking and be careful. « It is possible to call 1777 and report. Since drivers come to such sections, it is important to slow down and reduce speed. This can be dangerous. We have set up markings and tried to respond, but it can also create a danger. The most important thing is to be careful, it’s number one, two and ten. »