Open informational meeting about Sundabraut in Grafarvogur

The discussion following the presentations in theater 1 at Sambíó in Egilshöll was well-attended, with an estimated 230 people at the meeting. Guðmundur Valur Guðmundsson, a representative of the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration and chair of the Sundabraut planning project steering committee, presented the project and the findings of the environmental assessment report at the meeting. Andri Gunnarsson and Ragnhildur Gunnarsdóttir from EFLA engineering firm, the consulting firm for the environmental assessment report, discussed road connections and specific aspects of the assessment. Meanwhile, Haraldur Sigurðsson, head of division for municipal planning at Reykjavík City's Department of Environment & Planning, reviewed the project's alignment with the City's municipal plan. The meeting chair was G. Pétur Matthíasson.

Following the question-and-answer session, attendees had the opportunity to review the data and discuss the project in greater detail with specialists at several themed stations.

Questions about traffic flow and outdoor recreation

In its environmental assessment report, the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration presents two main options for the Kleppsvík crossing between Sæbraut at Sundahöfn and Gufunes: a tunnel or a 30 meter (98 foot) high bridge. Both options follow the same route from Gufunes through Geldinganes, Gunnunes, and Álfsnes to Kjalarnes. The route will cross Eiðsvík, Leiruvogur, and Kollafjörður using causeways and bridges. The presentation also covered how the construction would improve traffic flow in the capital area and its alignment with planned changes to Reykjavík's municipal plan.

Discussion topics included residents' concerns about traffic noise and potential mitigation strategies. Questions were also raised about Sundabraut's construction timeline and whether the project would be built in phases. Other concerns involved future plans for Hallsvegur, traffic models, and development. The project's impact on nature and outdoor recreation was a key topic, along with air quality during construction and the lifespan of bridges and walkways. Further questions focused on traffic flow, including whether a bridge or a tunnel would have a greater impact on traffic in Ártúnsbrekka. A recording of the meeting, including the Q&A session, is available to view here:

Reykjavík's key principles for the project

• Improving transportation for all travel modes: driving, public transit, walking, and biking.
• Minimizing negative impacts on nearby residential areas and connections between neighborhoods.
• Having a minimal impact on harbor operations and leading to the favorable long-term development of harbor areas.
• Ensuring structures fit well with the landscape, nature, and built environment, while maintaining ambitious aesthetic design standards.
• Designing road structures, bridge solutions, and landfills to minimize impacts on biota.
• Seeking ways to minimize the scope and land requirements of the main road, ensuring that road structures have the least possible impact on valuable outdoor recreation areas, natural habitats, and future development zones.

Public comment period open until Nov. 30

The meeting at Egilshöll was the third in a series of public forums where residents can get information about the development, ask questions, and offer feedback. The goal is to allow residents to learn about the project directly, get more detailed information, and ask specialists about the issues that matter most to them.

In total, three informational meetings on the Sundabraut project took place in Reykjavík, covering the results of its environmental assessment and the draft master plan amendment. The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration is also holding meetings in Mosfellsbær and Akranes.

The environmental assessment report and draft municipal plan amendments are available in the Urban Planning Portal. Official statements or comments can be submitted until Nov. 30.

We emphasize that these are draft proposals now undergoing preliminary review, before the formal municipal plan amendment is finalized and publicly announced. The final decision on the Sundabraut route and design within the municipal plan will be based on the environmental assessment's findings, public feedback from the upcoming comment period, and further agreement between the city and the state.

• Municipal plan amendment on Urban Planning Portal
• Environmental assessment on Urban Planning Portal
• Environmental assessment results on the project's web viewer
• Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration information website about Sundabraut