Railway Bridge Collapses in Norway as Storm Hans Wreaks Havoc

Critical Randklev Bridge on Oslo-to-Trondheim Line Falls Amid Widespread Storm Damage

Storm Hans Causes Critical Railway Bridge Collapse and Widespread Damage in Norway

In the wake of the powerful storm named Hans, which has inflicted severe damage across southern Norway, a significant railway bridge collapse has shocked the nation. The middle section of the Randklev Bridge, a vital component of the Oslo-to-Trondheim Dovre line, slid into the raging Lågen River on Monday morning.

The catastrophic incident has further underscored the devastation caused by Storm Hans, which has triggered record-high river levels, dangerous landslides, and large-scale evacuations in the region. The state-owned rail infrastructure company, Bane Nor, is swiftly responding by investigating the extent of the damage to the 172.5-meter-long steel bridge, originally built in 1957.

Due to the perilous conditions, the bridge was already closed for safety precautions at the time of the collapse. Bane Nor acknowledges that other sections of the rail line have also sustained damage, making it challenging to estimate when normal rail operations will resume.

While the precise cause of the collapse remains uncertain, rail authorities have indicated that the incident occurred amid an "extreme flood situation." Track manager Sigbjørn Korsgård assured the public that efforts are underway to prevent the bridge from drifting further downstream. Immediate actions are being taken to extract the debris from the water, not only to restore water flow in the Lågen River but also to facilitate the eventual reconstruction of the bridge.

The neighboring old railway bridge, repurposed as a road bridge, has luckily remained intact, although it will be temporarily closed for assessment. Authorities are swiftly cordoning off the affected area and implementing safety measures, such as road closures and fencing, to prevent access to the collapsed bridge site.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, weather forecasts predict heavy showers in the region on Tuesday. This anticipated rainfall poses additional challenges to ongoing recovery efforts. Korsgård acknowledged the demanding circumstances, emphasizing the substantial water flow in the Lågen River and the saturated terrain.

Notably, railway bridges in Norway undergo comprehensive inspections every six years as part of routine maintenance. The Randklev Bridge underwent its most recent inspection in 2019, and in 2021, it received maintenance work including sandblasting and repainting. The collapse of this critical bridge serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of vital infrastructure in the face of powerful natural forces like Storm Hans.