Bridge over Helluvatn temporarily closed for construction
The bridge over Helluvatn will be closed to vehicle traffic starting today, Wednesday, Jan. 21, for necessary maintenance. The two-section bridge sits where Helluvatn meets Elliðavatn, near Elliðavatnsbær. The bridge will be closed to vehicles during construction but will remain open to pedestrians, cyclists and horseback riders.
This means vehicle access to Heiðmörk from Suðurlandsvegur will only extend to the bridge. Officials have posted signs announcing the closure. Emergency vehicles will still have access to Heiðmörk from the other side through a road that is otherwise closed to public traffic during winter.
The City has consulted with the Reykjavík Forestry Association, which has operations in Heiðmörk and Elliðavatnsbær. The project has also received the necessary permits from Reykjavík Public Health and the Directorate of Fisheries, along with an official statement from Veitur Utilities.
The project involves replacing the bridge's structural and wearing surfaces. Crews will also replace the guardrail and bridge railing while repairing the gravel surface on the road near the bridge. Construction is expected to take about five weeks.