Abstract
Infrastructure development is a key driver of land-use change and biodiversity loss globally. While transport planning increasingly incorporates climate mitigation goals, broader ecological concerns, such as nature degradation and ecosystem fragmentation, remain underrepresented in decision-making processes. This paper investigates how planning regimes shaped by efficiency and cost-effectiveness affect the integration of environmental concerns in road infrastructure projects. Using Norway as a case, we analyse how governance structures and planning practices influence the relative (de)prioritization of nature and land use. Drawing on qualitative interviews, workshops, and document analysis across governance levels, we find that accelerated planning processes often reduce opportunities for stakeholder involvement, marginalize non-monetized impacts, and weaken ecological assessments.