Politicians Oppose Budget Cuts to Tvärförbindelse Södertörn Project Over Traffic and Environmental Concerns
Local politicians voice strong opposition to severe budget cuts to the Tvärförbindelse Södertörn project, citing potential traffic and environmental issues.
Key Points
- • Trafikverket has cut over 2.5 billion SEK from the project.
- • Local politicians express concerns about increased traffic and environmental impacts.
- • The replacement of a tunnel with a bridge complicates traffic flow.
- • Municipalities have submitted a letter to the government opposing the cuts.
The recent announcement by Trafikverket regarding budget cuts exceeding 2.5 billion SEK to the Tvärförbindelse Södertörn infrastructure project has ignited a strong backlash among local politicians, primarily in Huddinge. The cuts are feared to lead to increased traffic congestion, adverse environmental impacts, and stunted urban development, especially concerning areas reliant on the beneficial aspects of the project.
Local municipal council chair Sara Heelge Vikmång stated, "The changes will increase pressure on the existing road network and permanently impair development opportunities in areas like Masmo and Fittja." Significant modifications to the original proposal, including the replacement of a planned tunnel with a bridge at the Vårdkasen traffic junction, may complicate traffic flow, limiting access for drivers traveling from Haninge to Flemingsberg.
Concerns about the revised project have been echoed by other local leaders, including Stina Lundgren from Botkyrka, who highlighted that the previous plans included southern ramps to the E4/E20, which have now been eliminated. This change forces traffic through the already congested Botkyrkaleden, raising fears about increased heavy vehicle traffic and its potential negative effects on nearby residential areas, including heightened noise and pollution levels.
Local politicians have united in their criticism by submitting a formal letter to the government opposing the cuts. They argue that such drastic reductions could undermine the overarching objectives of the project. Alexandra Stassais Söderblom, the project manager at Trafikverket, offered some defense for the changes, insisting that traffic volumes on Botkyrkaleden are predicted to remain steady by 2045. However, the new proposal would result in longer travel times for the anticipated express bus services, repeatedly raising doubts about efficiency.
As local officials await further government evaluation, the future of the Tvärförbindelse Södertörn project hangs in the balance, amidst calls for a reconsideration of the recent budget reductions.