The government has given the green light for two new tracks between Hässleholm and Lund, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) said at a press conference. The project aims to increase capacity for both freight traffic and commuting, according to the government. However, no exact timeline for the project has been set yet.
Infrastructure and Housing Minister Andreas Carlson (KD) confirmed that the government is doubling the budget that the Swedish Transport Administration proposed for the project. "We are doubling the pot that the Swedish Transport Administration has proposed and that enables an earlier start of the important railway between Lund and Hässleholm," Carlson said. He added that the move could cut the timeline by several years. The budget increase is intended to accelerate the project, which is critical for relieving congestion on the Southern Main Line. The new tracks will separate high-speed passenger trains from slower freight trains, improving punctuality and reliability. The government has not disclosed the exact amount of the budget doubling, but the Swedish Transport Administration had previously estimated the cost at around 10 billion Swedish kronor.
In addition to the new tracks, the government is advancing the timeline for additional platform tracks at Malmö Central Station, according to multiple reports. A negotiator will be appointed to analyze cost-effective infrastructure measures in the Öresund region. Prime Minister Kristersson said: "That person will review how the surplus from the Öresund Bridge can strengthen the infrastructure here in the Öresund region." The government also wants to investigate how future surplus from the Öresund Bridge can be invested in infrastructure in the region. The negotiator is expected to propose concrete projects that can be funded by the bridge's profits, which have been substantial in recent years. The exact timeline for the negotiator's appointment and the scope of the investigation remain unclear. The government has not yet specified who will be appointed as the negotiator or how the surplus will be allocated. The current status of the planning by the Swedish Transport Administration is also unknown.