Natural environment

Reducing negative impacts from roads and road traffic by developing adequate planning tools for better integration of new roads in the landscape, reducing the barrier effect for wildlife and people and using native species in road side vegetation.

The ecological effects of roads and road transport include habitat loss and degradation, pollution, and animal-vehicle collisions. In addition, roads impose movement barriers to many animals, barriers that together with our deep valleys, long fjords and high mountain ranges can isolate populations and lead to longterm population declines, and in the worst case, local extinction of species.

The barrier effect is limited by a restrictive use of wildlife fences, building of over- and underpasses for animals, and adaptation or modification of pipes and culverts for handling water. The presence of the moose gives us some special challenges when it comes to traffic safety and wildlife. Wildlife fences are 2.3 – 2.5 m high.

Ecological problem zones or -sites along the existing road network are now being registered, in order to mitigate or completely eliminate the negative impact on the ecology.