Insufficient infrastructure investment ahead of the green transition in the north

The government has decided on a historic investment in transport infrastructure in northern Sweden. The problem is that it is not enough.

The new national plan, which was presented on Monday, invests many billions in icebreakers, ports, railways and roads in Norrbotten. The plan contains much that is positive and much needed. It is gratifying that the government wants to support the industrial revolution in the north. Unfortunately, the plan lacks important parts – parts that the Swedish Transport Administration has highlighted as particularly urgent.

– The iron ore from the Ore Fields pumps billions into the treasury, but then the ore must be able to be transported from there in an efficient manner. Already today, the capacity problems on the Luleå-Riksgränsen route are a major problem, with derailments and cancelled trains as a result. The measures highlighted in the plan will not be enough, and they come too late, says regional councilor Nils-Olov Lindfors (C).

The Luleå-Riksgränsen route must be improved to be able to transport ore efficiently, says Regional Councilor Nils-Olov Lindfors (C). Photo: Sara Stylbäck Vesa.

The Swedish Transport Administration had proposed to the government a special investment of 7,5 billion, which the authority saw as absolutely necessary to meet the needs of the new industrialization. These funds were to be invested in the Luleå-Riksgränsen railway line, with the upgrading of the Malmbanan and the double track Luleå-Boden. The Swedish Transport Administration's conclusion was: "A lot is happening in northern Sweden, and it is happening now. The measures in the infrastructure cannot wait!"

“Becoming worrying”

In that proposal, the administration had also not taken into account all the investments that we know about today. Yet only a fraction of that amount has been included in the decision on a new national plan – approximately SEK 1,6 billion. A significantly reduced investment compared to the Swedish Transport Administration's proposal, which was actually below the threshold. In the consultation response to that proposal, last spring, Region Norrbotten highlighted that the investments were not sufficient.

– The capacity increase between Luleå and Riksgränsen is now a long way off and it will be a concern for, for example, LKAB, SSAB and H2 Green Steel, says Nils-Olov Lindfors.

“More needs to happen”

One joy in the new national plan is the Norrbothnia Line, which is now included in its entire length, all the way up to Luleå. However, it will not be completed until well after 2033.

– We should have had the Norrbotten Line ready today. Now we have to work hard to get it expanded as soon as possible. It is about meeting the development and the need for skills supply. We will now continue to have a dialogue with the government about the needs that follow the industrial revolution in Norrbotten. More needs to happen and it needs to happen faster, says Lindfors.

Want to know more?

Welcome to contact Nils-Olov Lindfors, regional councilor (C), Norrbotten Region.
nils-olov.lindfors@norrbotten.se