National Transport Plan 2014-2023: 50 per cent increase

“The economic framework will be increased by roughly 50 per cent and the planned measures will ensure we get more out of every krone invested. The result will be a transport system that is simpler, quicker and safer,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Marit Arnstad.

The plan is to spend around NOK 311 billion on roads, NOK 168 billion on the railways, almost NOK 9.23 billion to encourage better public transport systems and more environmentally friendly urban transport solutions and NOK 19.4 billion on coastal transport schemes in the period 2014-2023.

This distribution of funds is based on a differentiated transport policy which takes into consideration the fact that different forms of transport have different characteristics and that different parts of the country have different transport needs. The aim is to exploit the advantages inherent in the various forms of transport in order to best satisfy the transport needs of the population in general and commerce in particular. 
 
NOK 311 billion on roads
The Government plans to spend NOK 311 billion on roads in the period. Around NOK 292 billion is for developing the national road network, while around NOK 20 billion will be allocated as an extraordinary grant for roads managed by county municipal authorities.

NOK 177 billion is planned for investment in the national road network, including NOK 8.7 billion for protection against rockslides. This is almost 70 per cent more that agreed in the national budget for 2013.

Around 1,280 kilometres of new trunk roads will be opened to traffic, and 400 kilometres of two- and three-lane roads will get mid-road barriers. In addition will be 380 kilometres of four-lane motorway, bringing the total length of motorway in Norway to 780 kilometres.

The Government will develop the transport corridors that bind the regions together, and develop the Norwegian road network to provide longer interconnected stretches of a good standard. We will therefore prioritise the E6, E10, E16, E18, E39 and E134 routes.

Reducing journey times is important for regional development. The schemes in the report to the Storting will give reduced journey times in the plan period. Since 2005, the journey time for the E39 has been reduced by 50 minutes. The projects that will now be realised will reduce this journey time by a further 1.5 hours. The journey time on the E6 will be reduced considerably, the journey time between Oslo and Bergen (E16) will be reduced by 30 minutes, and the journey time on the E18 by 20 minutes.

Around NOK 105 billion is allocated for operating and maintaining the national road network. The average annual allocation for operation and maintenance will be almost 20 per cent higher than in 2013. The road deterioration rate will be arrested early in the NTP period, and general decay will be reduced in the period.

The counties have prioritised the road network they took over from the State in 2010. The Government nonetheless realises that the counties will not be able to deal with the maintenance lag without extraordinary funding from the State. Thus, we are increasing the framework grant to the county municipalities by NOK 10bn in the 10-year period. There will also be an annual framework grant for protecting the county road network against rockslides, and almost NOK 2.3 billion to the interest compensation arrangement for transport schemes in the counties. This means the county municipalities will receive almost NOK 20 billion a year for improving the standard of the county road network.

“Investment in protecting against rockslides has never been higher than it will be in the next 10-year period. We are more than fulfilling our promise in NTP 2010-2019 for granting NOK 1 billion a year to rockslide protection. The total investment per year for the county and national road networks will be on average NOK 1.5 billion a year,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Marit Arnstad.

NOK 168 billion to the railways
The Government appropriates NOK 168 billion to the railways. An average of NOK 16.8 billion a year constitutes an increase of almost 49 per cent compared with 2013.

Planned investments amount to around NOK 92 billion. Of this, NOK 58 billion is allocated to the building of almost 167 kilometres of double track railway on the InterCity stretches in Eastern Norway. By 2024, Oslo will be connected by double track lines with Tønsberg in Vestfold, Hamar to the north and Seut in Fredrikstad to the south. This means that the journey time from Oslo to these three towns will be reduced by 20-30 minutes respectively, to a journey time of about an hour or less.

“In 2005 we had 220 kilometres of double track railway. Today this is increased to 247 kilometres. By 2024 we will have 424 kilometres and in 2026 443 kilometres. We are thus talking about doubling the length of double track railway in the plan period,” says the Minister of Transport and Communications Marit Arnstad.

In terms of goods traffic, NOK 3.5 billion is planned earmarked for the Alnabru goods terminal in Oslo.

The planned spend on the Bergen Line is NOK 5.2 billion. This includes completing a double-track stretch between Bergen and Arna for NOK 3.4 billion, with work maybe starting already in 2013. In addition, the Government also plans to allocate around NOK 1.5 billion for the Ringerike Line, with work starting at the end of the plan period.

NOK 3.9 billion will go to modernising the Trønder and Meråker lines, and NOK 1.6 billion for increasing the capacity on the Ofot Line.

Around NOK 76 billion is allocated to operation and maintenance. The average amount spent annually on operation and maintenance will thus by 46 per cent higher than agreed in the national budgeted for 2013.

“This means that the number of delayed services will be reduced by 40 per cent and the number of cancelled services by 60 per cent,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Marit Arnstad. 

Traffic safety: Ambitious goal
“One of the Government’s four main goals in the National Transport Plan is a vision to reduce to zero the number of traffic accidents that result in death or serious injury,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Marit Arnstad.

Since 2005 the number of accidents resulting in death or serious injury has been reduced by 30 per cent while the volume of traffic on the roads has increased by around 12 per cent. This reduction is the result of a systematic and targeted road safety effort, with focus on schemes that have been tried and tested.

NTP 2014-2023 includes an average annual framework of NOK 1.37 billion for special road safety schemes. This is 57 per cent higher that the level agreed in the national budget for 2013.

Commercial transport costs
Economies in regional transport costs are estimated at around NOK 47 billion, while private transport costs for industry and commerce will be reduced by an estimated NOK 78 billion during the 10-year period.

Public transport and the environment
The aim to absorb the growth in personal transport in urban areas by public transport services, cycling and walking shall be achieved by allocating NOK 26 billion to a new system for general urban environment agreements and the “local authority reward system”. In addition, the planned spend on footpaths and cycle tracks will be doubled to NOK 8.2 billion within and beyond the urban areas. The aim is for the cycling segment to increase from 4 to 8 per cent. The railways will have a more important role to play in the transport system because of the major increase in investments. 

“I am delighted we are now launching a new arrangement with general urban environment agreements, with greater decision-making powers locally, stricter requirements for environmental goals and more money for urban transport. Environmentally friendly solutions with greater investment in public transport, pedestrians and cyclists are also far cheaper than car-based solutions. I am pleased that the National Transport Plan is preparing for increased investment in this area. This will give us cities with better environments, improved traffic flow and not least greater prosperity and well-being,” says Minister of the Environment Bård Vegar Solhjell.

More value for money
“The Government wants to squeeze as much value as possible out of every krone invested in the transport sector. Improving efficiency is therefore a key element in NTP 2014-2023. Time spent planning will be reduced. Major transport projects will be financed in a new way to ensure rational implementation. The transport infrastructure will be developed more consistently and government agencies will work more effectively,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Marit Arnstad. 

Predictable financing
“Major transport projects today are generally completed rationally. The challenge is that a number of new projects are far larger in scope than previous projects. Building these in a piecemeal manner is expensive, and we need a financing model that ensures rational construction. Thus, the Government is introducing an arrangement where prioritised projects will receive more predictable and secure financing, within today’s budget system. This will ensure that funding is determined by the progress being made in a project and not the other way round,” explains Minister of Transport and Communications Marit Arnstad.

When the Norwegian parliament (Storting) approves a project it will also determine when the project shall be completed. At the same time, the Storting will give the go ahead for entering into contracts within the cost framework agreed.

Among the candidates for this new arrangement are the InterCity projects, E39 projects, and electrification of the Trønder Line.

“The Government has always been interested in ensuring that projects are implemented as effectively as possible. In this way, we will establish a long-called-for predictable financing arrangement for major transport projects,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Marit Arnstad.

Aviation
“A dispersed population, long distances and difficult topography mean that aviation is particularly important in Norway. A good, safe and efficient aviation system is important for population growth, employment and industrial development in both rural Norway and the urban conurbations,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Marit Arnstad.

In the next 10-year period, the Government plans to maintain and develop a decentralised airport network. The Government will also continue purchasing regional aviation services.

Avinor will be guaranteed framework conditions that will enable the company to carry out its duties and tasks satisfactorily. These framework conditions will be clarified in a White Paper currently being prepared by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

NTP 2014-2023, related press releases, graphics and more information (Norwegian only)