Temporary footbridge planned to enhance pedestrian safety over Sæbraut in Iceland

A temporary footbridge will be constructed over Sæbraut, with the hope that it will be completed by spring. The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration (IRCA) views this upgrade as crucial for improving the safety of pedestrians navigating this busy traffic route. Recent incidents have underscored this need, particularly with a pedestrian fatality occurring over the weekend near the junction of Sæbraut and Holtavegur.

G. Pétur Matthíasson, an information officer for the IRCA, highlighted the challenges presented by heavy traffic in this area and confirmed that interim solutions for pedestrian safety are being developed. “It is difficult to manage this high volume of traffic, but we aim to ensure safe crossing points for pedestrians,” he stated.

While the temporary footbridge is expected to be functional by April, Matthíasson noted that a more permanent solution—a road underpass at Sæbraut—is planned to commence in 2027. This project aims to significantly enhance pedestrian safety and create an integrated urban environment between neighborhoods.

“Once the underpass is operational, pedestrians will have a vastly different experience crossing there, with no vehicle traffic in that area,” he reaffirmed. The construction of the temporary bridge is meant to address immediate safety concerns while the more extensive project is in the works, which is anticipated to take an additional three to four years. In the meantime, pedestrians should be able to benefit from the new bridge by next spring.