The Worst Roads in Norway Have Been Chosen. They May Pose a Danger... to Everyone

As part of the competition, the technical condition of the roads was assessed in terms of safety, accessibility, and their importance for daily life, transport, and emergency services. The panel of experts consists of representatives from industry, transport, and sector organizations.

The finalists are roads with a variety of issues: from asphalt full of potholes, to very narrow sections, and even threats of landslides and erosion. The list includes county and municipal roads from different regions of Norway to highlight various infrastructure challenges.

Among the ten selected roads are, for example, Fv. 33 Feiring in Akershus, Fv. 1178 Gunnarstorp-Karlsøy in Østfold, Fv. 2434 Vest-Torprunden, and Fv. 49 Steinsdalen-Eikedalen in Vestland. Many residents report that the roads are often impassable, the asphalt is cracked, and some stretches can be dangerous in bad weather.

In some cases, these roads are the only access route for residents or for transporting goods, making their poor condition widely impactful. Some roads are described as very narrow or difficult for larger vehicles to traverse.

A report from the Road Traffic Information Council indicates that about 4 out of 10 county and municipal roads are in poor condition. Some roads are not even paved. According to estimates from Statens Vegvesen, the maintenance backlog for these roads amounts to nearly NOK 100 billion. So far, the state budget has allocated only about NOK 0.5 billion in earmarked funds for their repair.

Another issue is the funding allocation system, where regions with greater backlogs receive more funds, which—according to the expert panel and the Council—may demotivate those who maintain their roads in better condition.