Disaster on Norway’s E6: Detour Extends Route by Over 300 km
A major rockslide has completely blocked both directions of the E6 highway in Rosten (Gudbrandsdalen region), one of Norway’s most vital transport arteries. The incident has brought transit traffic to a standstill, forcing carriers to take lengthy detours, leading to increased costs and operational challenges.
The landslide occurred overnight between March 30 and 31. A massive rockfall, plummeting from a height of approximately 50 meters, swept down boulders, trees, and soil, completely obstructing the roadway. The E6 serves as a key north-south transport corridor, connecting the regions of Trøndelag, Møre og Romsdal, and Oslo with southern Norway and Sweden. Geologists from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen) are currently assessing the site, but there is no clear timeline for reopening the road. Officials warn that clearing the debris and securing the slope could take considerable time.
The Norwegian Road Transport Association (NLF) responded immediately to the crisis. NLF regional director Guttorm Tysnes has urged authorities to temporarily allow modular truck combinations on county roads 27 (via Venabygdsfjellet) and 29 (Folldal–Hjerkinn). He emphasizes that these routes are already accessible to heavy vehicle combinations up to 24 meters in length and 60 tons in weight, which would enable standard modular transport units (TSL) to pass.
For carriers who regularly rely on the E136, the detour through Østerdalen adds as much as 340 kilometers to their round-trip journey. This makes it significantly more difficult to comply with drivers' working hours and results in substantial additional costs says Tysnes.
Østerdalen Detour – The Only Alternative
Norwegian road authorities have identified national road 3 (Rv. 3) in Østerdalen as the only viable detour:➡️ From the south: E6 Kolomoen – Rv. 3 Elverum – Rv. 3 Østerdalen – E6 Ulsberg
➡️ From the north: E6 Ulsberg – Rv. 3 Østerdalen – E6 Kolomoen
➡️ From the west: E6 Dombås – E6 Ulsberg – Rv. 3 Elverum – E6 Kolomoen
Drivers and transport operators are urged to plan their routes ahead of time and stay updated with announcements from Norwegian road authorities.
