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Ring 1 should not be fully reopened. Then we lose what we have won.
🇳🇴 Norway /Energy & Infrastructure

Ring 1 should not be fully reopened. Then we lose what we have won.

From Aftenposten · () Norwegian

Translated from Norwegian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Context piece
  • A Norwegian business leader argues against fully reopening the Hammersborg tunnel in Oslo, fearing it will undo progress made during its closure.
  • The closure, initially feared to disrupt businesses, instead led to increased foot traffic and thriving local commerce, transforming the area into a vibrant public space.
  • The leader advocates for maintaining reduced traffic capacity, citing evidence of "traffic evaporation" where removing road capacity permanently reduces car journeys.

A prominent Norwegian business leader is urging the government to reconsider the full reopening of Oslo's Hammersborg tunnel, scheduled for August 2027. Jørgen Stråtveit, CEO of Byliv AS, argues that fully restoring the tunnel's capacity would erase the positive transformations achieved during its two-year closure.

It is not the cars that create a good city, it is people.

— Jørgen StråtveitJørgen Stråtveit, CEO of Byliv AS, emphasizes the importance of people over vehicles in urban development.

Initially, the closure of the Hammersborg tunnel raised concerns among local businesses about potential disruptions and loss of customers. However, the situation evolved unexpectedly. Instead of hindering commerce, the reduced traffic and associated urban planning initiatives, including a temporary street art gallery, attracted more people to the area. Businesses like Fuglen coffee shop, Stykke pizza, and Chiruto bar have reportedly thrived, benefiting from increased foot traffic and a more engaging urban environment.

We turned a crisis into an opportunity.

— Jørgen StråtveitStråtveit describes how the community transformed the challenges of the tunnel closure into positive outcomes.

Stråtveit emphasizes that streets filled with through-traffic do not equate to streets filled with customers. He points to the success of the area around Holbergs plass, which has seen increased turnover for numerous businesses. The focus, he argues, should be on people who are intentionally visiting the area, rather than simply passing through.

Traffic is not turnover. Turnover comes from people who walk, sit, eat and stay – regardless of what one may think about the car's place in urban development.

— Jørgen StråtveitStråtveit differentiates between mere traffic flow and genuine economic activity generated by people visiting an area.

The leader cites evidence suggesting that maintaining reduced traffic capacity can lead to "traffic evaporation," where car journeys decrease permanently. He references a report from the City Environment Agency in February 2025, which concluded that mitigation measures prevented side streets from becoming alternative routes. Furthermore, a similar project on Ring 2, reducing lanes from four to two, saw a nearly 40 percent drop in car traffic without simply displacing it. Stråtveit believes that fully reopening the tunnel would be a waste of the progress made and the "price" already paid for this urban transition.

We have already paid the price for the transition. It is wasteful to throw away the gains from the closure by opening up again, just as it was before.

— Jørgen StråtveitStråtveit argues against fully reopening the tunnel, stating that the benefits of the closure should be preserved.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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