Trondheim Mayor Claims Closure of Dovrebanen Could Impact Ski World Championships

Trondheim’s mayor, Kent Ranum from the Conservative Party, expressed his disbelief at Norway’s outdated infrastructure, stating that it is unacceptable for the country to be operating with such poor systems in 2025. He lamented the situation as Dovrebanen, a vital railway, was forced to close again for an extended period after a bridge at Otta in Gudbrandsdalen incurred damage due to ice formation and high water levels.

With the Ski World Championships set to welcome hundreds of thousands of spectators in just a few days, Ranum warned that the inability to fully operate the railway could lead to chaos, as fans might be forced to drive to Trondheim. The organizers had even prepared a dedicated championship train, which now cannot be used due to the closure.

The railway operator SJ, responsible for the trains on the route, described the situation as desperate and expressed dismay at the disruption. Meanwhile, investigations by Bane Nor revealed that Dovrebanen would remain closed until mid-April to complete essential safety repairs. Although Bane Nor claims to have good alternative solutions for transporting championship visitors, the potential impact on the event remains a serious concern.

Championship director Åge Skinstad shared the worries, emphasizing that they had encouraged spectators to purchase train tickets alongside championship tickets to ensure a sustainable and smooth event. He described the situation as unfortunate and lamented the loss of their specially designed championship train experience.

In response, Bane Nor stressed that safety is their highest priority. Kirsten McDonagh, a communications advisor at Bane Nor, explained that due to damage at the Otta bridge – which has shifted by 15 centimeters because of ice formation and high water flow – no train can pass until repairs are complete. She also noted that the aging railway, built over 100 years ago, struggles to meet modern demands in a changing climate.

SJ’s representative, Randi Ness, added that it is incredibly disheartening for both customers and employees that trains can no longer run the full route between Oslo and Trondheim without interruption. Efforts are underway to reduce the portion of the journey that requires bus transfers.

Bane Nor has increased contingency plans along other parts of the network to ensure that, even with the closure over the Otta bridge, traffic can be managed smoothly during the championships. Despite these challenges, both officials and city leaders are determined to proceed with what they describe as an electric, celebratory atmosphere for the Ski World Championships.