The Swedish government has announced construction starts for several major infrastructure projects worth over 50 billion SEK, as part of the national infrastructure plan for 2026–2037, which totals about 1,200 billion SEK. Infrastructure and Housing Minister Andreas Carlson said at a press conference that the government is giving the green light for infrastructure investments totaling over 50 billion kronor. The government is expected to present how the 1,171 billion SEK allocated for roads and railways over the next twelve years will be distributed in the coming days.
The largest single project is the Tvärförbindelse Södertörn, a road link connecting the E4 with road 73 towards Nynäshamn. According to major media reports, the road is about 2 miles long, with 6 km in tunnel, and has been planned by Trafikverket for twelve years. The cost was estimated at 10 billion SEK in 2017, but after government-required savings, it is now set at just over 20 billion SEK. The project has drawn strong criticism because it will pass through six nature reserves. The government has rejected appeals against the construction, Carlson confirmed.
In addition to the Norrbotniabanan, it is of great importance that investments in the Malmbanan are also intensified. That the government gives construction start decisions for a number of meeting stations is positive, but hardly corresponds to the investments actually required for the entire stretch between Luleå–Kiruna–Narvik.
Other key projects include the Norrbotniabanan section between Dåva and Skellefteå, which has been given the green light for construction start. The government's decision also includes several extensions of meeting stations along the Malmbanan. According to Region Norrbotten Nyheter, Anders Öberg, Chair of the Regional Executive Board in Region Norrbotten, described the meeting station investments as positive but insufficient for the entire Luleå–Kiruna–Narvik stretch. Janus Brandin, Regional Development Director at Region Norrbotten, told the same outlet that the announcement is a step in the right direction and praised the region's persistent advocacy. Additionally, the new national plan will include double track between Kubikenborg and Dingersjö south of Sundsvall and a reduced version of the new double track Gävle–Kringlan.
The government has also allocated 30 billion SEK for civil defense infrastructure, including upgrading the Inlandsbanan. Projects in Skåne receiving the green light include the E65 Svedala–Börringe, Malmö C platform expansion, Malmö goods yard, and the Blekinge coastal railway.
Today's announcement is a step in the right direction. Today we also get to give ourselves a pat on the back for persistently continuing to influence and explain to governments why this is necessary for the future of Swedish industry.
The construction start decision means Trafikverket can begin procuring contractors, but actual construction has not yet commenced. The exact timeline for each project remains unclear, as does the specific nature of the reduced Gävle–Kringlan double track. The total cost and financing details for the Norrbotniabanan and Malmbanan upgrades have not been disclosed.