SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Road Investments in the North Are Welcomed

The government's investment in infrastructure is met with both criticism and praise from actors within Sweden's transport sector.

» Published: 03 October 2024

Road Investments in the North Are Welcomed
Photo: Peter Lydén/Green Cargo

It is good for entrepreneurship in general that investments are made in infrastructure, regardless of whether it is road or rail, but we can never say that we are satisfied. We know that it does not pay off the maintenance debt on the rail network during this planning period, says Gustaf Engstrand, business policy chief at the industry organization Tågföretagen.

According to the infrastructure proposal, 607 of the 1,171 billion will be used for new investments in the transport system.

The investment funds are quickly consumed by the planned Skåne project, with two new tracks on the rail section Hässleholm-Lund, and the Västra Götaland project with a new rail line between Gothenburg and Borås, says Gustaf Engstrand.

Better Coordination

Green Cargo is the largest rail operator for goods in Sweden, where customers in the forestry, steel, and paper industries dominate.

A positive message is that the ceiling for trimming measures is being raised from 100 to 150 million. We had requested a doubling to give the Swedish Transport Administration better conditions to implement the type of measures that have a significant impact in the short term, says communications chief Stephan Ray.

The capacity shortage is causing major problems for freight traffic, and Green Cargo is calling for better coordination between the Swedish Transport Administration and the business community when it comes to track maintenance.

We will probably have to accept a period of very much track work ahead. It's just regrettable that the Swedish Transport Administration does not have the ability to accomplish more maintenance for the money, says Stephan Ray.

Streamlining Freight

In the north, investments in roads are welcome.

"Investments are being made in roads with load-bearing class 4, which can take heavier and longer trucks, streamlining freight and making it more environmentally friendly. But we also need a functioning rail network and look forward to investments in maintenance and the construction of the Norrbotniabanan getting underway", says Patrik Jonsson, CEO of Skog & Virke at Norra Skog, in a written comment.

State-owned SJ writes in an email to TT:

"We can only agree with the Minister of Infrastructure that it will be a tough period ahead, and it's good that they have the ambition to tackle the rail maintenance. We have high hopes for the assignment that the Swedish Transport Administration has received to find new methods and working methods to quickly reduce the maintenance debt without affecting all the customers and passengers who daily use this vital infrastructure."

Low Priority

At the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, the disappointment is great over the fact that the climate perspective is not higher on the agenda.

"The government is choosing to make major investments in road traffic at a time when it needs to decrease and rail traffic increase. The government barely mentioned the climate during the press conference, which suggests that the climate perspective has low priority in the government's infrastructure policy", says Beatrice Rindevall, chair of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Ten important years for the climate
3 MIN READ

Ten important years for the climate

7,700 Football Fields with Green Areas Have Disappeared
3 MIN READ

7,700 Football Fields with Green Areas Have Disappeared

Shot fired at apartment in Norsborg
1 MIN READ

Shot fired at apartment in Norsborg

Man Shot in Malmö Has Died
1 MIN READ

Man Shot in Malmö Has Died

Suspected Murderer Released
1 MIN READ

Suspected Murderer Released

The Police Tracked Down Cannabis Cultivation
1 MIN READ

The Police Tracked Down Cannabis Cultivation

Countries agree on UN rules for emission rights
2 MIN READ

Countries agree on UN rules for emission rights

Ongoing Political Unrest in Norrköping
1 MIN READ

Ongoing Political Unrest in Norrköping

Hit by a Truck – Man Seriously Injured
1 MIN READ

Hit by a Truck – Man Seriously Injured

Shooting in Malmö – Man Injured
1 MIN READ

Shooting in Malmö – Man Injured

One released after cake poisoning in Karlskrona
1 MIN READ

One released after cake poisoning in Karlskrona

Rules for Divorces to be Reviewed
3 MIN READ

Rules for Divorces to be Reviewed

NASA: Help us clean up space from poop and junk
4 MIN READ

NASA: Help us clean up space from poop and junk

A Man Arrested for Explosion in Gothenburg
1 MIN READ

A Man Arrested for Explosion in Gothenburg

First Gang Seizures: Mercedes, Motorcycles, and Cash
3 MIN READ

First Gang Seizures: Mercedes, Motorcycles, and Cash

Got a Job in Home Care – Despite Suspicion of Assault
1 MIN READ

Got a Job in Home Care – Despite Suspicion of Assault

The UN's Climate Chief: Not Ready to Give Up
2 MIN READ

The UN's Climate Chief: Not Ready to Give Up

Suspect arrested after stabbing at school
1 MIN READ

Suspect arrested after stabbing at school

Man killed his children - "suffered from depression"
2 MIN READ

Man killed his children - "suffered from depression"

Woman found dead - man arrested for murder
1 MIN READ

Woman found dead - man arrested for murder