Temporary change to regulation on motor traffic in Svalbard
The Governor of Svalbard has decided to temporarily change the regulation on motor traffic in Svalbard. The changes will apply until 1 June 2023. The background for the regulation is the need to protect habitats and avoid disturbance of ice-dependent species.
Published 3/1/2023, Last edited 3/14/2023
Sysselmesterens time 2023
The Governor of Svalbard would like to invite guides and tour operators in Svalbard to the annual "Sysselmesterens time" event. The event will be held at UNIS on Tuesday the 14th of March, 18:00 – 20:00.
Published 2/28/2023
The traffic ban is lifted at 12:00
Following recommendation from NGI, Longyearbyen Local Council cancels the closure of road 300 with effect from 28.02.23 at 12:00. The Governor lifts the traffic ban on the upper side of the road from the same time.
Published 2/27/2023
Traffic ban on road 300 until further notice
Road 300 from the intersection at the old museum up to Huset is closed from 16:30 today and until further notice due to the risk of avalanches from Platåberget. The Governor has introduced a traffic ban on the upper side of the stretch of road. This means that the ski trail is not available.
Published 2/16/2023
Exercise on Saturday 18 February
This coming Saturday, the Governor of Svalbard, together with the Longyearbyen Red Cross Rescue Corps and Norwegian Rescue Dogs Svalbard, will conduct an avalanche exercise near Longyearbyen. There will be helicopter traffic and emergency personnel in the terrain.
Published 2/8/2023
Road 300 remains closed, while the traffic ban in Nybyen is lifted
Road 300 remains closed and the traffic ban above the road will be maintained until Thursday 9 February at 08:00. At the same time, the Governor has decided to lift the traffic ban in Nybyen.
Published 2/7/2023
Closes road 300 and cancels evacuation in Nybyen
Road 300 from the intersection at the old museum all the way up to Gruvelageret is closed due to the risk of avalanches from Platåberget. At the same time, the risk of avalanches that could reach the buildings in Nybyen has decreased, and the Governor is cancelling the evacuation in Nybyen from 13:00 today. The traffic ban is maintained in the area above the buildings in Nybyen.
Published 2/6/2023
Evacuates parts of Nybyen
Based on avalanche expert assessments from NGI and the weather forecast, the Governor has decided to evacuate the buildings on the upper side of the road in Nybyen. A residence and travel ban will be introduced in the same area. The evacuation must be completed by 17.00 on Monday afternoon. The travel and residence ban in Nybyen means, among other things, that the snowmobile trail on the upper side of the road is closed.
Published 2/3/2023
Hearing on temporary changes to the Motor Traffic Regulations
The Governor submits for consultation a proposal for a temporary amendment to Section 8 of the regulation on motor traffic in Svalbard. The proposed changes include traffic on the sea ice in the areas of Billefjorden and Tempelfjorden. The hearing deadline is 23 February.
Published 2/2/2023
Snowmobile traffic in a snowmobile-free area
The Governor reminds that only permanent residents of Svalbard are allowed to drive snowmobiles until 1 March in the snowmobile-free area marked in green on map A in the Regulations on motor traffic in Svalbard.