Confusion on the way to school:- Shocked and shaken

14 truss bridges were closed on Monday after the Dreton Bridge in Gutbrandsthalen collapsed.

At Brandvall School in Kongsvinger municipality, this has created a chaotic situation, according to principal Øystein Skoglund.

On Wednesday, he says, traffic will double over the Brantwall Bridge, which is closest to the elementary school.

Travel: Headmaster Øystein Skoglund reports that traffic on the suspension bridge at Brandvall has multiplied. Photo: Private

Principal reacts to careless driving.

– I am shocked and appalled at how little consideration many people have. I myself was hit by two cars and had to jump out of the way of a passing trailer. “I also noticed a motorist who ran a red light on the bridge,” Skoglund told TV2.

Multiple transport

As a result of the closure of the Norzenga Bridge in Kongsvinger, the traffic past the school increased.

– There was a lot of passenger cars and heavy traffic. Many were driving at 40 km/h, which is the speed limit, says Skoglund, who, along with several teachers and guardians, were traffic wardens.

Attention: Principal Østein Skoglund urges motorists to be extra careful. Photo: Private

Dropped 10 posts

Skoglund says police were also stationed to control traffic. He is proud of the district council for putting up bollards to make School Road safer during the day, but they were not in place for long before they were cut down.

– A motorist ran down 10 of them. I hope people will care more in the future. Many students were scared, Skoglund says.

Skoglund fears traffic will be even worse on Thursday when the Flisa bridge also closes in the morning.

Glåmdalen was the first to mention the subject.

– Looking forward to speed

The municipality of Eidsvoll in Viken has also been affected by the closure of soft drinks. In the municipality, five truss bridges will be closed, which will cause challenges for many residents, says Mayor Hege Svendsen (AP).

– The most important thing is the safety of citizens. Despite many challenges, I was very relieved when the decision was made to close the bridges, says Svendsen.

Now she expects the Norwegian Public Roads Administration to make better arrangements and a more thorough inspection than Dredton Bridge.

– I hope they don’t have to replace the bridges, which is time consuming. I believe in speed, but they do it perfectly.

Hit: But not anymore. Veronika Jagedal usually uses Sletta bru a lot. Photo: Harald/Aiken

Veronika Zagedal used to use Sletta Brew several times a day, but now it’s closed. There is a bad road on the bypass.

– This creates huge challenges. At least when you travel here often.

I think the information is very poor

Jagedal calls for more information on the closure.

– I wish there was more information so you could better understand why they did what they did. For example, there are pedestrians constantly crossing the bridge, is that legal?

Mayor Svendsen thinks the information is too narrow.

– Symptoms are less telling, and more information is needed. It is also difficult to contact them over phone. “I understand that it’s hectic right now, but I expect more clear information from the municipality in the future so that we can better inform our citizens,” he says.