New Railway Tracks Planned to Ease Train Delays on Västra Stambanan
New tracks will be built to reduce train delays on Västra Stambanan.
Key Points
- • New railway tracks to be constructed east of Katrineholm.
- • Capacity issues identified as a cause of frequent train delays.
- • Government approved three railway projects in May, including Katrineholm.
- • New passing tracks will allow faster trains to overtake slower ones.
The Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) is moving forward with plans to construct new railway tracks east of Katrineholm, an initiative aimed at reducing frequent delays on the Västra Stambanan. Chronic capacity issues between Gnesta and Hallsberg have been a significant factor contributing to persistent train disruptions, spurring the need for infrastructural enhancements.
In late May, the government approved the onset of three key railway development projects, one of which focuses specifically on the Katrineholm area. This project entails the installation of two passing tracks that will span approximately 2.2 kilometers. The primary objective of these tracks is to facilitate faster trains by allowing them to efficiently overtake slower passenger and freight services, thereby improving overall service reliability.
Fredrik Leskinen, a project leader at Trafikverket, commented on the strategic placement of the new tracks, emphasizing their role in alleviating congestion along this heavily trafficked corridor. However, he noted that while these improvements are promising, they may not entirely rectify all issues affecting this critical line, which remains one of the most congested in Sweden.
This development reflects ongoing efforts to enhance Sweden's rail infrastructure, directly addressing the needs of commuters and freight transport affected by delays.