North Bothnia Line

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The North Bothnia Line is a new 270 km coastal railway line between Umeå and Luleå. It will cut travel times in half, enable safer transportation, and reduce climate impact, greatly increasing the ability to travel and transport goods throughout Sweden.

Planning and construction is underway for the North Bothnia Line, a new 270-kilometre railway line between Umeå and Luleå. The North Bothnia Line will strengthen the country’s rail freight traffic and enable passenger traffic between the cities along the Norrland coast. Studies are currently in progress for various subsections of the line.

The positive effects will be considerable. The North Bothnia Line will enable cutting transportation costs of freight traffic by 30 percent and halving travelling times for passengers, greatly improving commuting conditions along the Swedish coast.

The North Bothnia Line will contribute to conditions for sustainable economic development, improved competitiveness for industry and trade, and positive regional development, for the benefit of the region, country and EU. Additionally, the new railway line is expected to lead to considerable climate and environmental benefits.

Current progress

Construction is almost finished between Umeå and Dåva

Construction is under way on the section between Umeå and Dåva, including building a new railway tunnel through Ersmarksberget in Umeå. The goal is to have the route open for initial freight traffic in 2026.

Construction is underway between Dåva and Skellefteå

Along the Dåva–Skellefteå section, we have started construction. In 2026, three major contracts will be started, and we will build in all affected municipalities at the same time. In addition, we are working on producing construction documents and planning for more construction starts along the route.

Planning initiated between Skellefteå and Luleå

We have been commissioned to start planning for the Skellefteå–Luleå section. Currently, the project organization is being developed and the development of railway plans have started.

Facts in brief

What: A new, 270 kilometer coastal railway line between Umeå and Luleå. Work also includes construction of 550 kilometers of road, including both public and service roads, and approximately 250 bridges. Travel centers are planned in Skellefteå, Piteå and Luleå, and regional train stations in Sävar, Robertsfors, Bureå, Byske and Norrfjärden.

Why: The North Bothnia Line will strengthen rail freight traffic in Sweden, and will allow for passenger traffic between cities along the Norrland coast. It will increase capacity, substantially reduce transportation costs, and halve travelling times along the coast.

Cost: The cost of the project is estimated at approximately SEK 62 billion at 2025 price levels.

Construction start: 2018.

Timeplan: Umeå–Dåva, open for traffic in 2026. Umeå–Skellefteå, open for trafiic in 2036. Skellefteå–Luleå, the closest milestone is to start construction, which can happen earliest 2033.

Trafikverket.se (Swedish)