MDG demands billions for the Bybanen

Two Miljøpartiet De Grønne (MDG) representatives set up on the pedestrian footbridge over the E39, near the Norges Handelshøyskole (NHH) in Bergen. The party is calling for several billion kroner in public funding to build a longer four-lane motorway, including an extension of the Fløyfjell tunnel. « Forlenga Fløyfjelltunnel er eit av dei viktigaste samferdselsprosjekta vi har her i byen », says young Storting member Frøya Skjold Sjursæther (NRK Bergen / Vestland).

The party says it will table this demand in the State budget negotiations opening this autumn. The MDG group on the city council embraces the apparent paradox: the Greens are asking for more asphalt in order to make room for the Bybanen, pedestrians and cyclists in the Sandviken neighbourhood, and to extend the tram to Åsane. « Det er fordi vi skal lage plass til Bybanen, fotgjengarar og syklistar her i Sandviken. Og få Bybanen bygd til Åsane », explains city council group leader Katrine Berg Nødtvedt (NRK Bergen / Vestland).

Under the reference plan, the four-lane section is to be built on this busy northern entry route into Bergen.