The government's new national infrastructure plan, covering 2026–2037, totals approximately 1,200 billion kronor, according to multiple media reports. Infrastructure and Housing Minister Andreas Carlson (KD) announced the plan at a Tuesday morning press conference, stating that investments in new construction starts exceed 50 billion kronor. Among the key projects is a double-track railway between Karlstad and Kil, which Region Värmland confirmed will be implemented during the plan period. The Karlstad–Kil section is Sweden's busiest single-track railway, according to official sources.
The double-track on the Värmlandsbanan is a central element in efforts to reduce travel time between Oslo and Stockholm, driven by the company Oslo-Sthlm 2.55, in which Region Värmland is a co-owner, official sources said. The project is expected to increase punctuality for passenger traffic and reliability for freight, as well as shorten travel times between the two capitals, according to major media reports. Stina Höök (M), vice chair of the regional development committee, said: "The government's announcement confirms that the investment is needed for the development of Värmland and Sweden." Region Värmland added that the full decision on the national plan will be presented shortly, with more details on costs, timelines, and other priorities for the region.
The government's announcement confirms that the investment is needed for the development of Värmland and Sweden.
In northern Sweden, the government has approved construction of the Dåva–Skellefteå section of the Norrbotniabanan, Carlson confirmed. Skellefteå is Sweden's largest city without a rail connection, Carlson noted. The Norrbotniabanan is important for national preparedness and cooperation with Finland, he added. According to Edward Riedl (M), 17.7 billion kronor has been allocated for this section. Lars Bergdahl at Trafikverket said construction is expected to take ten years, placing completion around 2035. Trafikverket sent a request for a start decision for the section on 23 August 2024, according to research sources. 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, he added. Planning continues for the northern part of the line, with a new station location decided in Norrfjärden, and work on railway plans for the Skellefteå–Luleå section will continue in 2026, according to research sources. In northern Skellefteå, a line that minimizes mass movement has been favored to keep costs down, Bergdahl said. The Norrbotniabanan will halve travel times and improve connections with Europe, according to research sources. Skellefteå municipality welcomed the announcement in a press release.
Beyond the double-track on the Värmlandsbanan, the plan includes capacity enhancements in the form of passing loops on the Värmland line between Kil and Charlottenberg, Region Värmland said. The government has also decided on a double-track between Kubikenborg and Dingersjö south of Sundsvall and a new double-track Gävle–Kringlan, albeit in a reduced version, according to major media reports. In Skåne, the government has approved construction start for several projects, including E65 Svedala–Börringe, Malmö C, Malmö goods yard, and the Blekinge coastal railway, major media reported. The E65 project includes new motorway, wildlife fencing, and a landscape bridge to improve traffic safety and capacity. Malmö C will get two new platform tracks, a middle platform, a storage track, and a siding for maintenance vehicles to meet expected volume increase from the Fehmarn Belt connection. A new entry track to Malmö goods yard will improve the ability to run long freight trains to and from Malmö harbor. The Blekinge coastal railway project includes a new meeting track on the Kristianstad–Karlskrona line to shorten travel times and reduce delays.
On the road side, the largest single construction start decision is for the Tvärförbindelse Södertörn, a motorway connecting E4 with road 73 towards Nynäshamn, according to major media reports. The road is approximately 2 miles long, including 6 kilometers in tunnel, and has been planned by Trafikverket for 12 years. Its cost has increased from 10 billion kronor in 2017 to over 20 billion kronor after government-required savings, major media reported. The project has faced sharp criticism, especially from the Nature Conservation Society in Huddinge, and the government has rejected appeals against the road plan, which encroaches on seven municipal nature reserves, according to major media. The government has also decided on construction start for E4/E20 Hallunda–Vårby, section Fittja–Vårby, adding a fourth lane in each direction; road 26/47, section Mullsjö–Slättäng, to become a 2+1 road with median barrier; and E45 Säffle–Valnäs, section Hammar–Valnäs, to become a 2+1 road, major media reported. The construction start decision means Trafikverket can now begin procuring contractors, not that construction starts immediately. Additionally, Minister for Civil Defense Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M) said the government has earmarked 30 billion kronor for infrastructure within the total defense upgrade. Region Norrbotten welcomed the decision but called for a comprehensive approach to the Malmbanan, including double-track from Boden to Luleå harbor, according to Anders Öberg, regionstyrelsens ordförande i Region Norrbotten.