Investments

Large investments are needed Sweden’s economy is being held back. The  Bothnia Line will be completed 2010, the first section of the Ådal Line 2011 and the Haparanda Line 2012. The Swedish National Rail Administration

has identi-ed 4 major projects remaining in the long term planning

for the Bothnian Corridor. These are the North Bothnia Line, the Ådal

Line section two, double track on the East Coast Line and double track on

the stretch Motala-Hallsberg. Major investments are needed along the entire

Bothnian Corridor as soon as 2013-2015 if the development of the businesses is not to be inhibited.

The opening of new mines in northern Finland requires improvement of

the Finnish Main Line. Parallel with the increase in the mining industry, a

strong increase in growth can be seen in Finland, especially within the metal

and machinery industry. In order to meet the targets, the Finnish Main

Line needs to be upgraded to a double track line and the carrying capacity

improved.

Sweden’s economy is being held back

Both the Swedish National Rail Administration and the transport company
Green Cargo have recently, and independently of each other, concluded
that the growing flow in freight traffic on railway demands more investments
if the industry’s growth is not to be threatened.

At a 5 percent increase in freight traffic, great problems in capacity will occur according to Green Cargo. At a 20 percent increase, the whole capacity for the entire of the Bothnian Corridor is used up.

The Swedish National Rail Administration assess that an expansion to double
track needs to commence straight away in order to be completed in 2020.