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The new trunk lines would significantly increase the capacity of the Swedish railways. Significantly more and faster trains would fit on the tracks.
But building trunk lines can be expensive, very expensive.
In June 2020, the government signed an agreement with the Center Party and the Liberals. The Swedish Transport Administration was commissioned to develop various proposals on how new trunk lines can be built at a maximum cost of SEK 205 billion.
Major changes are required
On Monday morning, the authority presented three proposals where the budget requirement is met.
– But getting to this level requires major changes in railway design and station locations, says Ali Sadeghi, program manager at the Swedish Transport Administration.
Stations outside cities
If stations are located outside urban settings, costs will be lower, rails will be straighter, and travel time on new main lines will be shortened.
However, it is not a proposal that goes home with, among others, the municipalities. They want the new railway to be built with central station locations as it contributes to local and regional growth.
Expensive to build in cities
If the rails pass through the city centers, the price of construction will also increase. The fourth proposal of the investigation includes more central stations, but the cost will increase to around 295 billion SEK.
– We know from experience that when building in urban environments, large and complex constructions are required that generate costs, says Ali Sadeghi.
Trains on bridges?
The investigation contains a review of various technical solutions that affect costs. Among other things, the proposal for land bridges is included in the report.
– This with land bridges has always been interesting and is a possible technical solution that we will see more, Ali Sadeghi.
The issue of new trunk lines for high-speed trains is now back on the government’s table. In dialogue with other parties, the Social Democrats and the Green Party will decide what happens next.
