The city council in Reykjavík has agreed to design a bicycle and pedestrian pathways from Elliðárósir in Elliðarárdalur valley on the outskirts of Reykjavík to Hlemmur area in the city center.

Alterations to city streets affected by the new pathways are to be expected during the construction period.

Plans to expand pedestrian and bicycle pathways fivefold in a period of five years were agreed upon two years ago when bicycle pathways in the city measured at a distance of 10 kilometers.

The largest section of the proposed plans was passed last week, that is the distance from Elliðarósir across Sæbraut and alongside Suðurlandsbraut to Laugavegur and Hlemmur, the city bus terminal. The distance measures four and a half kilometers.

The plan is to widen the pathways already laid along the way, and in particular to separate the distance between pedestrians and cyclists, as well as reducing the number of sharp angles and improve connections.

The changes to be made on the city streets affected by the new construction proposals include connecting a footpath over Miklabraut thoroughfare to Rauðagerði street, reducing growth of vegetation blocking the sight of oncoming traffic to traveling cyclists and pedestrians and turning Álfheimar street where it connects with Suðurlandsbraut highway to a two-way street.

Taking a right-hand turn from Höfðatún to Laugavegur will be prohibited  and the island in the middle of the road from Höfðatún to Hlemmur will be removed to create space for a new bicycle pathway. Traffic lights will be placed for cyclists in five different intersections along the new route.

However, previous plans of a tunnel underneath Reykjavegur, a street along the new route, are being revised due to cost. The estimated cost is ISK 70 million.

The overall cost of the project is estimated to be ISK 380 million. The city council will discuss the possibility of partial state funding for the project, a possibility supported by law, Rúv.is reports. 

JB