The Swedish government has approved the next phase of construction for the North Bothnia railway line, a vital project for northern Sweden’s green industrial transition.
Touted as the region’s largest infrastructure initiative in over a century, the railway will stretch 270 kilometers along the northeastern coast, connecting Umeå and Luleå. These towns are hubs for major industrial companies such as SSAB, LKAB, and the Hybrit pilot plant, which focuses on developing fossil-fuel-free steel.
The railway will play a crucial role in supporting industrial operations and regional commuters. On Tuesday, the government greenlit the second construction stage between Dåva and Skellefteå, following years of delays since 2018 due to escalating costs. While construction on the first segment began in 2018, the final stretch between Skellefteå and Luleå remains in the planning phase.
“This is a long-awaited project in the region, essential for industry and crucial for work commuters,” said Infrastructure Minister Andreas Carlson. He emphasized that the railway is a key factor for successful investments in northern Sweden.
The government also pledged to accelerate measures to improve capacity and reliability on the Malmbanan line after a December 2023 derailment caused significant disruption.
As Sweden invests heavily in green industries, including fossil-free steel and wind farms, the transition poses challenges for Indigenous Sami communities, whose traditional practices like reindeer herding are impacted by large infrastructure projects, according to a recent Amnesty report.
Source: Swifteradio.com
