Motorvei og fuglereservat

Statens vegvesen is constructing a four-lane motorway alongside the current route RV.4 and plans to develop a 25-acre bird sanctuary park on the flood-prone field on the opposite side. This initiative has been praised by Anne Gri Stenbråten Henriksen of BirdLife and environmental advisor Even Stensrud for contributing to the conservation efforts for the critically endangered lapwing species, which has seen a population decrease by over 80% in Norway in the past 15-20 years.

Beskyttet hekkeområde for vipa

The lapwing, a ground-nesting bird, faces multiple threats such as more efficient agriculture, increased predator numbers, and hunting during its migratory season in Southern Europe. The bird park project on Hadeland aims to offer protected breeding grounds for lapwings where young birds are particularly vulnerable during their five-week development to flight-capable individuals. The collaboration with BirdLife, the agricultural office in Hadeland, the governor of Viken, and other stakeholders intends to mimic the lapwing's traditional wetland habitats, important for their breeding and upbringing.

Økosystem og infrastrukturutvikling

The proposed bird park will transform a soggy, frequently flooded 25-acre field, equaling about 3.5 football fields, into a hospitable habitat for lapwings and other migratory birds. Plans include constructing a 100-meter canal parallel to the river that will fill with water when river levels rise, along with a 60 x 60-meter pond. This is part of a broader responsibility by Statens vegvesen to balance infrastructure development with ecosystem conservation, without significant financial burden. The implementation is deemed feasible and cost-effective due to the proximity of the contractor working in the area.