Traffic chaos feared as cruise ship, marathon, and construction collide

Reykjavik police are bracing for major traffic disruptions on Saturday as thousands of passengers disembark and board a cruise ship, coinciding with the city marathon and ongoing construction.

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This is just human traffic lights. There will be driving back and forth on one lane, and traffic will be controlled.

Around 3,000 passengers are expected to leave the Celebrity Silhouette cruise ship at 7 a.m., with another 3,000 arriving around 11 a.m. This influx, combined with the closure of Sæbraut for the Reykjavik Marathon, is expected to cause severe congestion near Sundahöfn port.

Adding to the complexity, construction at Vatnagardur will restrict traffic to a single, controlled lane. "This is just human traffic lights. There will be driving back and forth on one lane, and traffic will be controlled," said Arni Friðleifsson, assistant chief superintendent with the capital area police.

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We know when Culture Night is next year, we know when it is the year after. We have urged those doing construction in the capital area not to have construction on this day.

Police have expressed concern over the timing of the construction, which falls on Culture Night. "We know when Culture Night is next year, we know when it is the year after. We have urged those doing construction in the capital area not to have construction on this day," Friðleifsson stated.

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There are 3,000 people leaving and 3,000 people arriving. That's a lot of vehicles needed to transport these people.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, particularly the potential for Sæbraut to remain closed until 2 p.m. "There are 3,000 people leaving and 3,000 people arriving. That's a lot of vehicles needed to transport these people," Friðleifsson noted, adding that police might need to take further action "if it all goes to hell."

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if it all goes to hell.