Norway Wants to Fix Its Roads. The Price? Cutting Investment Funds
Norway will allocate an additional NOK 1 billion for maintenance and minor investments in municipal roads. The funds are included in an agreement on the revised national budget. Road organizations point out, however, that NOK 350 million is being cut from the maintenance of national roads.
Activists have been calling for repairs to municipal roads in Norway for years.
Fot. materiały prasowe OFV
The additional funds will go to municipalities as unrestricted income. The distribution will be temporary, with 75 percent of the funds allocated based on the length of municipal roads, and 25 percent based on population. The districts with the greatest backlog in road maintenance will receive the most.
The Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) considers these funds important for traffic safety and societal resilience. The Road Traffic Information Council (OFV) emphasizes that municipal roads are part of the national infrastructure. Both organizations point out that the needs are much greater than a single budget entry.
The Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) considers these funds important for traffic safety and societal resilience. The Road Traffic Information Council (OFV) emphasizes that municipal roads are part of the national infrastructure. Both organizations point out that the needs are much greater than a single budget entry.
More Money and... Growing Backlog on Norwegian Roads
NAF reminds that the degradation of municipal roads is severe. The organization points out that NOK 1 billion is only the beginning of the expenses needed. Ingunn Handagard from NAF says that worn-out routes increase the risk of accidents. She also adds that they are less prepared for extreme weather events.
OFV reports that the backlog in municipal road maintenance exceeds NOK 100 billion. After the additional NOK 1 billion, there is still about NOK 99 billion in needs. The highest backlog is in Vestland, amounting to NOK 19.98 billion. There are also significant needs in Nordland with NOK 14.93 billion and Møre og Romsdal with NOK 10.91 billion.
OFV reports that the backlog in municipal road maintenance exceeds NOK 100 billion. After the additional NOK 1 billion, there is still about NOK 99 billion in needs. The highest backlog is in Vestland, amounting to NOK 19.98 billion. There are also significant needs in Nordland with NOK 14.93 billion and Møre og Romsdal with NOK 10.91 billion.
Norwegian roads are in a deplorable state, NAF points out.Source: NAF press materials
What Next for Norway's Budget? Cuts Among Other Investments
The budget agreement increases funding for municipal roads. At the same time, OFV points out a NOK 350 million cut in the maintenance of national roads. Torill Eidsheim from OFV says that national roads cannot be weakened to strengthen municipal roads. According to the organization, both levels must be treated together.
Activists remind that municipal and county roads connect local communities. OFV points out that they are important for transporting students, commuting to work, public transport, and local businesses. In many places, they also serve as detours when national or European roads are closed. The organization expects further decisions in the state budget for 2027.
Activists remind that municipal and county roads connect local communities. OFV points out that they are important for transporting students, commuting to work, public transport, and local businesses. In many places, they also serve as detours when national or European roads are closed. The organization expects further decisions in the state budget for 2027.
The agreement also includes provisions for freight and heavy transport. Parliament wants to examine exempting electric delivery vans from the motor insurance tax in the 2027 budget. Additionally, NOK 50 million each is allocated to Enova for heavy zero-emission vehicles and zero-emission construction machinery.
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