Kangerlussuaq Road Project a Nature Road Between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq Will Be the Start of a Road Between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq
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Kangerlussuaq vejprojekt - Kangerlussuaq1 Road Project Page 1 of 1 Source of original: https://www.qeqqata.gl/Emner/Om_kommunen/Kangerlussuaq_vej?sc_lang=da Translated from Danish to English by Frieder Weisse Kangerlussuaq Road Project A nature road between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq will be the start of a road between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq. A nature road can probably not be open year round as a road, partly because in the thaw-period in May / June it will destroy nature, partly because in winter it may not be possible to pay to keep it free of snow. But a bature road will give tourism and the transport of people between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq a tremendous boost in the summer. Nature road between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq The former Sisimiut Municipality and the following Qeqqata Municipality wanted to realize the road between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq. A two-track dirt road is expected to cost 300 to 500 million dkk, which are not available for funding. Instead, it will be possible for the municipality to initiate the road between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq as a 3 m broad nature road, which can eventually be upgraded to a regular road. Socio-Economic Consequences In connection with the project of a road between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq over the years a lot of feasibility studies have been conducted and various reports have been prepared. In particular, various routes / traces have been investigated and in connection with them the necessary fundings resulting from the plans. A new northern trace through the valley of Nerumaq and north of the Lake Tasersuaq appears technically an easier and environmentally more attractive than the priviously investigated traces. The technical challenges with Itinneq are due to the difficult Itinneq area with difficult ground conditions in the valley, steep Kangerlussuaq vejprojekt - Kangerlussuaq2 Road Project Page 2 of 2 mountainsides up from the valley, and lack of road materials on the plateaus on both sides. Environmentally, the Itinneq valley is home to a rich wildlife. The northern route also passing by the summer camp Aasivissuit, which is the center of UNESCO World Heritage Site in Qeqqata Municipality. The northern route has been walked through and surveyed in 2015-2016, where an appropriate location of the route has been found, avoiding significant blasting and steep passages. Against this background, it is estimated that a nature road without a roadbed, as it is usual for a regular road, will have construction costs of 15 million crowns and will have annual operating costs of ½ million crowns. The nature road will be passable for much of the year in the east, while a shorter period of use in the western part may be assumed. (-) costs / constuction operating income from income from Income from (+) benefits costs costs tourism living resources scientific research Million Danish -15,0 -6,8 +50,4 +13,9 +2,2 crowns / DKK The socio-economic analysis shows that the investment of 15 million. DKK is earned in 7 years, so with construction in 2017, the economy will go to zero (break-even) in 2024. It is the tourist sector that generates the positive result, since over 75% of the measurable gains are attributable to tourists . Tourists are divided into different segments at different seasons, so the positive outcome of the socio-economic analysis seems robust. Download the entire report concerning socio-economic consequences of nature road: [ https://www.qeqqata.gl/-/media/Naturvej/Samfundskonomisknaturvejdk.ashx?la=da ] Business potentials surrounding the road between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq By nature road and later by a real road, many possibilities will be opened between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq. Among other things. new business potentials, outlined below, as illustration. ARTEK study [on a road] between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq ARTEK has conducted a number of technical studies on the road between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq, including various lineup proposals. Rambøll has made a line suggestion from Kangerlussuaq to Tasersuaq and conducted an EIA screening of the entire road. Kangerlussuaq vejprojekt - Kangerlussuaq3 Road Project Page 3 of 3 Both the technical and environmental investigations point out that a line suggestion north of Tasersuaq (between Itinneq and Kangerlussuaq) and further through the Nerumaq Valley towards Sisimiut would be most appropriate. This avoids the environmentally interesting area of Itinneq, which is also difficult to climb due to steep mountain sides, especially to the south. This northern line suggestion also has the advantage of crossing very few rivers, and an ATV track can be relatively easily established. Such a track can subsequently be upgraded to a real road. In some places, however, there will probably be a need to put an upcoming road a bit different from an ATV track. An ATV track is supposed to have a ascent of max 15%, although in some places it may have even steeper ascents. With up to 15% ascent, the average citizen and tourist could travel between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq on a track. A real road should only have an ascent of max 8%, although in some places it may have a little steeper ascents. An ATV track is also narrower, as an ATV is only about 1.2 meters wide. In addition, it must only be single track and speed is also not as high as on a real road where the plan has so far been 60 km/h. Therefore, an ATV track will not work as a real road, as it is supposed to take a day to drive on the ATV track between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq. For the machines to be used for construction, a width of the track of approx. 3 m is in use. Trackplotter og and security activation ATV driving has unfortunately given significant challenges in the area of Kangerlussuaq, where illegal driving has given some lanes that will remain in the ground for a long time. It is therefore important that the drive between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq happens on constructed and/or marked ATV trails. In addition, driving on the ATV trail between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq should be allowed only for ATVs with trackplotter and safety activation on the base of satellite support. Trackplotters will make it possible to register, if ATVs have consistently adhered to the ATV track, while security activation ensures that in case of an accident on the trail support and first aid is available. Trackplotter and safety activation would be useful to have on all ATVs in the country, so that driving illegality outside various ATV trails will be avoided. ATV road from Tasiusaq to Apussuit near Maniitsoq Another thing that is also planned to establish is to build an ATV track from Tasiusaq to Apussuit in Maniitsoq. The ATV track at Apussuit will among others strengthen the possibilities of skiing tourism. Contact Laust Løgstrup Vice municipality director [email protected] .