The Transportation Agreement
The Transportation Agreement is a decisive, fifteen-year commitment reached between the state and six municipalities in the capital region, Garðabær, Hafnarfjörður, Kópavogur, Mosfellsbær, Reykjavík and Seltjarnarnes, on the ambitious build-up of transportation infrastructure and public transport in the capital region.
About the Transportation Agreement
The state, Reykjavík, Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður, Garðabær, Mosfellsbær and Seltjarnarnes signed a resolution on transportation operations in the capital region on the 26th of September, 2019. The Agreement entails a mutual vision for the future, and comprehensive ideas for the entire zoning district.
The goal of the Agreement is to increase safety, improve all modes of transport, thereby reducing delays, heavily invest in public transportation, as well as to reduce pollution due to particulates and greenhouse gas release in order to fulfil the climate action goals of the government and the municipalities.
It was decided that construction operations would be the responsibility of a company founded for the express purpose of overseeing them. On the 29th of June 2020, legislation # 81/2020, on permission to found a state-run company overseeing the development of transportation infrastructure in the capital region, was passed. Through them, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs received authorisation to found the company. Betri samgöngur ohf. was founded on the 2nd of October that same year.
The IRCA is responsible for preparation, design and construction on behalf of the Transportation Agreement, in co-operation with the six affiliated municipalities within the capital region.
Betri samgöngur ohf. keep oversight and monitor ownership regarding infrastructure project development, whilst also securing financial backing for all projects.
Legislation # 81/2020, on permission to found a state-run company overseeing the development of transportation infrastructure in the capital region (Icelandic only).
The goals of the Transportation Agreement
More efficiency in transportation and more diverse modes of transport
The agreement promotes unobstructed, economical and efficient transportation in the capital region, with equal infrastructure development for all transportation modes.
A carbon-neutral society
The agreement strives towards attaining the climate goals of the state and municipalities concerning a self-sufficient, carbon-neutral urban society through enhancing public transportation and ride-sharing options within the transportation system, alongside improved infrastructure for eco-friendly modes of transportation as well as encouraging individuals to reconsider their transport habits and to consider energy transition options.
Increased traffic safety
The agreement strives for increased traffic safety, with an overarching goal of greatly reducing traffic collisions.
Co-operation and efficient operations
The agreement seeks to guarantee the efficient execution and defined scope of all projects. This is achieved through clearly defining the methods of co-operation, cost allocation, responsibility for select operations, and ways to secure financial backing.
Role models in other countries’ transportation agreements
The Transportation Agreement is modelled after similar agreements in Trondheim, Stavanger, Haugesund, Kristiansand, Namsos and Tonsberg. There are also further role models in Sweden.
Video - New Times (Icelandic only)
The projects of the Transportation Agreement
Biking path from Eiðisgrandi which reaches to Boðagrandi by the JL house.
Biking path in Elliðaárdalur, from Stekkjarbakki to Árbæjarlaug.
Projects
Project | Status |
Vesturlandsvegur: Skarhólabraut – Hafravatnsvegur | Operations concluded. |
Reykjanesbraut: Kaldárselsvegur – Krísuvíkurvegur | Operations concluded. |
Suðurlandsvegur: Bæjarháls – Vesturlandsvegur | Operations concluded. |
Reykjanesbraut: Intersection by Bústaðavegur | Initial draft concluding. |
Arnarnesvegur: Rjúpnavegur – Breiðholtsbraut | Under construction. |
Sæbraut road tunnel | Pre-design process concluding. Environmental impact assessment concluding. |
Borgarlínan section 1: Ártún - Hlemmur | Initial draft concluded. In pre-design process. |
Borgarlínan section 1: Hamraborg - Hlemmur | Initial draft concluded. In pre-design process. |
Borgarlínan section 2: Hamraborg - Lindir | In the initial drafting process. |
Borgarlínan section 3: Mjódd - BSÍ | In preperation. |
Borgarlínan section 4: Fjörður - Miklubraut | |
Borgarlínan section 5: Ártúnshöfði - Spöng | |
Borgarlínan section 6: Ártúnshöfði - Háholt | In preperation. |
Miklabraut road tunnel | Initial drafting process concluding. |
Reykjanesbraut: Álftanesvegur – Lækjargata | Initial drafting process concluded. |
Suðurlandsvegur: Norðlingavað – Bæjarháls | In preperation. |
Hafnarfjarðarvegur: Road tunnel through Garðabær | |