Infrastructure to connect communities
Photo: Everste/iStock
Access to reliable electronic communications and an efficient, accessible transport system are essential to ensuring people’s safety and security, an active business sector and dynamic communities. The development of transport systems and other infrastructure must also play a part in mitigating climate change and limiting biodiversity loss.
In the National Transport Plan 2025–2036, the Government has set out a number of measures to adapt the transport sector to the new security landscape. Cooperation between the transport and defence sectors on meeting military needs for transport infrastructure has been strengthened. Most of the new measures are to be implemented in the north. The Government has also strengthened Nordic cooperation in the transport and defence sectors. A strategic corridor for military mobility through North Norway, North Sweden and North Finland is to be developed. The Nordic transport ministers have taken the initiative to draw up a joint strategy for border crossings, civilian preparedness and security of supply based on the respective countries’ strategic transport plans.
Steps will be taken to increase rail capacity for passengers and freight, giving priority to military mobility and civil protection. In the work to further develop the national road network, the Government will give priority to traffic safety, important commercial corridors, military mobility and security of supply. In the National Transport Plan 2025-2036, the Government has increased the allocations for county roads to enable the counties in the north to better maintain the county road network.
The decentralised airport structure and air services available in the north are key to reducing disadvantages due to geographical distances. The Government will facilitate good, reasonably-priced regional air services, both for passengers and for the state as procurer. The fishing ports are vital to maintain value creation, jobs and settlement patterns in communities dependent on fisheries. Priority is therefore being given to measures to upgrade fairways and fishing ports in North Norway in order to accommodate larger vessels.
The Government attaches importance to providing people and businesses with access to high-quality, resilient mobile and broadband services. This is essential to maintaining critical public functions, settlement patterns, transport systems and business activity. We will update the regional risk and vulnerability analyses and seek to expand the use of cross-border digital routes between Norway and neighbouring Nordic countries to further strengthen the foundation for reliable digital services in the north.