Dual Reykjanesbraut from Hafnarfjörður to Reykjanesbær opened

Reykjanesbraut fully dual carriageway to Reykjanesbær

Around 80 people gathered to watch the Minister of Infrastructure, Eyjólfur Ármannsson, Bergþóra Þorkelsdóttir, Director General of the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, and Valdimar Víðisson, Mayor of Hafnarfjörður, cut the ribbon to formally mark the opening of the dual carriageway section of Reykjanesbraut between Krýsuvíkurvegur and Hvassahraun. The milestone was celebrated at Haukaheimilið.

Mayor Valdimar Víðisson said it was a great pleasure to celebrate this important moment. “With this dual carriageway we are taking a major step toward safer and better transport. The upgrade means increased traffic safety, clearer separation of directions of travel, improved traffic flow, and a reduced risk of serious accidents. This matters to everyone who uses this road, whether commuting to work, going to school, traveling to the airport, or moving between municipalities,” he said.

“For us in Hafnarfjörður, however, this is particularly significant. Reykjanesbraut is the main and most important transport artery of the municipality. It connects us to the capital area, the Suðurnes region, the airport, and all the economic activity that depends on this connection being reliable, efficient, and safe.”

21,500 vehicles per day

According to a news release from the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, traffic on Reykjanesbraut has increased steadily over recent decades, making it important to separate directions of travel to improve road safety. “Average daily traffic on Reykjanesbraut in 2024 was 21,500 vehicles per day.”

The Reykjanesbraut (Route 41) Krýsuvíkurvegur–Hvassahraun project involved widening a 5.6 km section of the road from Krýsuvíkurvegur to the end of the four-lane highway at Hraun west of Straumsvík.

The road has been widened to a 2+2 divided highway. Grade-separated interchanges at the Straumsvík aluminium plant were modified, and new road connections were built to Straumur and Álhella. Grade-separated interchanges were constructed at Rauðamelur, along with road connections to Straumsvík harbour and to the pumping and treatment facility east of Straumsvík, including underpasses. Underpasses for pedestrians and cyclists were also built just east of the aluminium plant, as well as inspection areas for traffic enforcement on both sides of Reykjanesbraut east of Straumsvík.

The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration opened bids for the project in April 2023 and entered into a contract with Íslenskir aðalverktakar hf. in May 2023.

Next priority is the section by Kaplakriki

In his speech at Haukaheimilið following the opening, Valdimar said the next urgent project on Reykjanesbraut should be the section from Kaplakriki to the N1 service station.

“There, road users experience daily congestion during peak hours, heavy traffic around the clock, and conditions that affect both safety and the quality of life of residents,” he said, noting that options for the future layout of this section will be presented next week. “In Hafnarfjörður we have been clear about our position: in our view, tunnels under Setbergshamar are the most viable option.”

He also highlighted the importance of the Flóttamannaleið. A strong and safe alternative route is not a luxury. “It is part of the basic safety of society and matters for emergency services, air transport, tourism, business, and in fact the entire national economy. We should view this route as a national project, not merely a local road improvement.”

He therefore called on the authorities to act. “We need to make clear decisions about these future options and secure funding for the solution that best serves residents, the environment, and safety in the long term.”

Finally, he congratulated everyone on this important milestone for Reykjanesbraut.