Clean-up of Government headquarters completed

A total of more than 4,300 tons of construction waste has been transported out of the damaged block of government buildings in downtown Oslo. The rehabilitation will now begin in the buildings least damaged.

Also, some of the streets in the area have been re-opened for pedestrians and bikers.

Statsbygg, the Norwegian government's key advisor in construction and property affairs, is in charge of the clean-up project. The company manages the nine government buildings on behalf of the government.

Minister of Government Administration, Reform and Church Affairs, Rigmor Aasrud inspected the site on Thursday, along with representatives from Statsbygg and the press. From the top of one of the main buildings, R4, Aasrud announced that it will take 8-10 years before the entire project of a new government headquarter is completed.

But first, three firms are at work to come up with a plan for the best use of the entire area, including whether or not some of the buildings may have to be pulled down and reeplaced by new structures.

This will be followed by a final government decision on how to proceed early next year.

(NRK.fvn.no, dittoslo.no)

Julie Ryland