The Swedish government has decided on construction starts for several major infrastructure projects totaling over 50 billion kronor, Infrastructure Minister Andreas Carlson (KD) announced at a Tuesday morning press conference. The projects are part of the national infrastructure plan for 2026–2037, which includes total investments of about 1,200 billion kronor, according to multiple reports. Among the approved projects are the Norrbotniabanan railway, double-track railways, and road links. The government's announcement was welcomed by Region Värmland, according to Erik Evestam (C), chair of the regional development committee, who said the decision is a positive step for the region.
The double-track railway between Karlstad and Kil has been approved as part of the national plan, Region Värmland confirmed. The project will be implemented during the plan period 2026–2037, according to the region. Capacity enhancements in the form of passing loops will also be made on the Värmlandsbanan between Kil and Charlottenberg. The Karlstad–Kil section is Sweden's most trafficked single-track railway, according to officials. The double-track project is a key part of reducing travel time between Oslo and Stockholm, driven by the company Oslo-Sthlm 2.55, in which Region Värmland is a co-owner, according to official sources.
The Tvärförbindelse Södertörn road link has also been approved, according to multiple reports. The link will connect E4/E20 at Kungens kurva to riksväg 73 at Jordbro via Flemingsberg, with a cost of 20.6 billion kronor. The project has been criticized, especially by the Nature Conservation Society in Huddinge, Dagens Nyheter reports. Other road projects include widening the E4/E20 Hallunda–Vårby section to four lanes in each direction between Hallunda and Vårby backe, upgrading riksväg 26/47 Mullsjö–Slättäng to a 2+1 road with a cost of about half a billion kronor, and converting the E45 Säffle–Valnäs section Hammar–Valnäs to a 2+1 road, according to multiple reports.
The government's announcement is welcomed by Region Värmland.
In addition to the Karlstad–Kil double track, the government has approved double track on the Ostkustbanan between Kubikenborg and Dingersjö south of Sundsvall, and a new double track Gävle–Kringlan, albeit in a reduced version, according to multiple reports. In Skåne, projects include E65 Svedala–Börringe, Malmö C platform expansion, Malmö goods yard, and Blekinge coastal railway, according to multiple reports. Furthermore, 30 billion kronor of the total defense upgrade funds are earmarked for infrastructure, including upgrading the Inlandsbanan, according to Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M). The construction start decisions mean Trafikverket can now begin procuring contractors, not that construction starts immediately, according to multiple reports.
Construction of the Dåva–Skellefteå section of the Norrbotniabanan has been approved, Carlson confirmed. Skellefteå is Sweden's largest city without a rail connection, Carlson noted. The Norrbotniabanan is important for national preparedness and Nordic cooperation with Finland, he added. 17.7 billion kronor has been allocated for the Dåva–Skellefteå section, according to MP Edward Riedl (M). Construction is expected to take ten years, placing completion around 2035, according to Lars Bergdahl at Trafikverket. The Norrbotniabanan will halve travel times and improve connections with Europe, and will increase safety and offer modern, reliable rail technology, according to proponents. Trafikverket sent a request for a start decision for the Dåva–Skellefteå section to the government on August 23, 2024, according to proponents. So far, 160 hectares of forest have been cleared, corresponding to 40% of planned clearing in the first contract, Bergdahl said. The breakthrough in the Ersmarksberget tunnel occurred in October, and rock from the tunnel will be reused in future construction, he added. A new station location has been decided in Norrfjärden, according to proponents. In northern Skellefteå, a line that minimizes mass movement has been favored to keep costs down, Bergdahl said. Work on railway plans for the Skellefteå–Luleå section will continue in 2026, he added. Region Norrbotten welcomed the Norrbotniabanan decision but called for a comprehensive approach to the Malmbanan, including double track from Boden to Luleå hamn, according to Anders Öberg, chair of the regional council. Skellefteå municipality also welcomed the announcement, according to a press release.
Several unknowns remain. The exact total cost and timeline for the double-track Karlstad–Kil project have not been specified. When construction will actually begin on the approved projects, such as the Norrbotniabanan and Tvärförbindelse Södertörn, is not yet clear. The full list of projects in the national infrastructure plan beyond those mentioned has not been released. How the 30 billion kronor for defense-related infrastructure will be allocated exactly is also unknown. The government should set a target year for completion of the entire Norrbotniabanan, according to proponents. The total investment amount in the national infrastructure plan has been reported as both about 1,200 billion kronor and 1,171 billion kronor; the discrepancy may reflect rounding or inclusion or exclusion of certain items, and readers should check the official figure.