FUTURE PLAN FOR THE RAILWAYS IN SWEDEN

Banverket has submitted proposals to the Swedish government for planned investment for the railways covering the period 2004-2015. This article describes the type of new investments planned for the Swedish railways during this period. Planned improvements include a commuter train tunnel to improve transport capacity on the existing double-track section in central Stockholm, the City Tunnel in Malmoe enabling through-traffic to the Oeresund Bridge, and extension of the double-track between Malmoe and Lund to four tracks, upgrading to high-speed standard of the track between Jaerna and Norrkoeping/Linkoeping, upgrading of the West Coast Line between Gothenburg and Malmoe, construction of the Bothnia Line between Nyland and Umeaa and upgrading of the Aadalen Line between Nyland and Sundsvall. Investment to increase the capacity of the rail system will improve both passenger and goods traffic. Banverket is raising the permitted axle load and loading profile.