Forest roads, 2001

A total of 176 kilometers of new, all-year roads were built in 2001, compared with 166 kilometers in 2001, an increase of 6 per cent. Hedmark and Buskerud were the two counties where the most kilometers of new forest roads were built with the completion of 29 and 21 kilometers respectively.

More reconstruction than new construction

From 1993 more kilometres of roads have been rebuilt than newly built, because earlier built roads needed upgrading. A decline has also occurred in the reconstruction of roads but it has not been as extensive as the decline in the construction of new roads. A total of 434 kilometres were built in 2001. Oppland County is the county with the most roads rebuilt, 115 kilometres.

Reduced expenses

The total costs amounted to NOK 148 million in 2001, a decline in construction expenses of NOK 16 million compared with 2000. The forest owners covered 94 million, and the remaining 55 million were covered by government subsidies and loans. The road construction expenditures are divided between NOK 113 million for all-year roads for lorries and NOK 35 million for winter roads for lorries and tractors.

Tables:

• Table 1 Forest roads constructed and rebuilt. Number of roads and lenght, by county.
• Table 2 Forest roads constructed and rebuilt. Expenditure, by county