Norway's E18 highway sees major congestion and accidents
Police units were positioned on the E18 near Heistad to monitor a vehicle linked to an investigation, while traffic controllers reported severe congestion across the route. Delays of 30‑35 minutes were recorded between Rugtvedt and Langangen, and 20‑minute northbound hold‑ups at Moheim with additional 7‑minute southbound delays at Langangen, largely attributed to road works near Langangen and the aftermath of the holiday travel surge.
The highway also saw several collisions. A chain‑reaction crash near Rugtvedt earlier in the week involved multiple cars and prompted temporary lane closures. On a Sunday afternoon, a bus and a car collided in Skjelsvikdalen, Porsgrunn; no injuries were reported, though the bus carried 17 passengers and sustained material damage. Traffic operators advised drivers to remain patient, keep a safe distance, and follow posted safety guidance.
Overall, the combined effect of police activity, road construction, and post‑vacation traffic resulted in widespread delays for commuters traveling toward Oslo and other destinations along the E18 corridor.
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Traffic delays of 30‑35 minutes were reported between Rugtvedt and Langangen on the E18. (c0d40fe1-92b4-4b24-a663-15ac8c9995e5)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Post‑holiday traffic caused a 20‑minute northbound delay at Moheim and a 7‑minute southbound delay at Langangen on the E18. (0e0654f4-c636-4ad2-a73f-f75543c097f9)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Traffic operators advised drivers to stay patient, keep a safe distance, and follow safety guidance. (multiple)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A bus and a car collided in Skjelsvikdalen, Porsgrunn, with no injuries reported. (a3e63744-f66e-4665-8dd2-241b62ff0540)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The bus involved in the Skjelsvikdalen collision carried 17 passengers. (a3e63744-f66e-4665-8dd2-241b62ff0540)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A chain collision near Rugtvedt earlier in the week involved multiple vehicles and caused lane closures on the E18. (c0d40fe1-92b4-4b24-a663-15ac8c9995e5)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Road work near Langangen contributed to traffic congestion on the E18. (0e0654f4-c636-4ad2-a73f-f75543c097f9)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Police were stationed on the E18 at Heistad to monitor a vehicle linked to an investigation. (c0d40fe1-92b4-4b24-a663-15ac8c9995e5)