Héðinsfjarðargöng

Héðinsfjarðargöng (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈçɛːðɪnsˌfjarðarˌkœyŋk]) are two road tunnels in northern Iceland, connecting Ólafsfjörður and Siglufjörður. They were opened on October 2, 2010. The total cost was around ISK 12 billion ($106 million).

Ólafsfjörður entrance
Héðinsfjörður Tunnel
Héðinsfjarðargöng
Siglufjörður entrance
Overview
LocationLinks Ólafsfjörður and Siglufjörður, Iceland
Route76
Operation
Work begun2006
Opened2010
OwnerVegagerðin
TrafficAutomotive
CharacterPassenger
Vehicles per daySummer: 940 Winter: 520 (2022)
Technical
Length6.9 km (4.3 mi) (southern tunnel),
3.7 km (2.3 mi) (northern tunnel)
No. of lanes2
Highest elevation60 m (200 ft) (southern tunnel), 73 m (240 ft) (northern tunnel)
Lowest elevation6 m (20 ft) (southern tunnel), 12 m (39 ft) (northern tunnel)
Width7.6 m (25 ft)
Grade3%

Social, economic and cultural impact of the tunnels

In 2008, a seven-year research project was initiated to evaluate the social, economic, and cultural impact of the Héðinsfjörður tunnels.[1] The project was directed by Professor Thoroddur Bjarnason and implemented by a research team at the University of Akureyri.

The results show that the tunnel traffic is above expectations.[2] There is considerable commuting between Ólafsfjörður and Siglufjörður, and the vast majority of residents travel between them for shopping, services, events, and social participation.[3] The regional economy has strengthened, and satisfaction with prices and diversity of goods and services has increased.[4] Siglufjörður has become part of the Eyjafjörður tourism region and a destination for tourists between Akureyri and the Reykjavík capital region.

There has not been an increase in the number of overnight stays, and the predicted tourism circle around the Tröllaskagi peninsula has not materialized.[5] The services of state and municipality have been reduced, in part as result of the economic crisis of 2008. Residents are more satisfied with their educational opportunities but less satisfied with policing and access to health services. Tensions between residents of the two towns do not appear to have increased, even though Ólafsfjörður residents tend to think that they do not receive their fair share in public services.[6] A population increase has been observed in Siglufjörður, while population decline appears to have been halted in Ólafsfjörður.[7] There has in particular been an increase in the number of younger women, young children, and foreign citizens, and young people are more likely to expect to stay in their home community.

66°05′38″N 18°47′50″W

References
  1. "Niðurstöður á rannsóknum um Héðinsfjarðargöngin –". byggdathroun.is. Retrieved 2015-10-03.
  2. "Helstu niðurstöður". byggdathroun.is. Archived from the original on 2015-10-04. Retrieved 2015-10-03.
  3. Bjarnason, Thoroddur (2014-12-01). "The effects of road infrastructure improvement on work travel in Northern Iceland". Journal of Transport Geography. 41: 229–238. doi:10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2014.09.009. hdl:20.500.11815/1074.
  4. Heiðarsson, Jón Þorvaldur. "Efnahagur einstaklinga í Fjallabyggð 2005 til 2012" (PDF).
  5. "Bjarnason". www.thjodfelagid.is. Retrieved 2015-10-03.
  6. "Félagslegur auður í Fjallabyggð fyrir og eftir Héðinsfjarðargöng" (PDF).
  7. "Bjarnason". www.thjodfelagid.is. Retrieved 2015-10-03.


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