Train passengers will have to endure more turbulence than usual in train traffic this summer. The Swedish Transport Administration is upgrading the Southern Main Line and several train routes will be completely closed for a week in June.
This involves about ten major works and about 50 smaller ones on the Södra stambanan railway, which affects a stretch of about 350 kilometers between Norrköping and Hässleholm. Among other things, switches will be replaced, overhead lines will be upgraded and communication equipment will be upgraded.
For travelers, this means that several train routes, such as the one between Norrköping and Hässleholm, will be completely closed at various periods during week 24.
”"We hope that travelers will be lenient about this," says Jenny Nilsson, project manager at the Swedish Transport Administration, to TT.
Replacement traffic in the form of buses and rescheduled train routes will be introduced and it is already possible to book tickets according to the new routes, she announces.
”"But to ensure times and replacement services at a detailed level, you should contact your train company," she says.
Extensive railway work during the summer has drawn criticism from, for example, the Swedish Tourist Association, which has been forced to cancel planned events due to changed train schedules.
Why such extensive work during a summer period when so many people are traveling?
”"There is a pent-up need to refurbish the railway. We are trying to carry out as much work as possible in a short time so that it is less disruptive and in the long run results in fewer unplanned disruptions," says Jenny Nilsson.
At the same time, the Swedish Transport Administration has postponed around 50 maintenance works on the tracks this summer to create some air in traffic planning.
Can travelers expect to avoid so many train stops and changed times after this work?
”"Because there is a backlog of maintenance needs on the railway, we will need more work on the facility. But we are doing what we can to reduce the overall traffic impact as much as possible," says Jenny Nilsson.
The intensive refurbishment of the Southern Main Line has been planned for a year and a half and is intended to make up for some of the neglected work on maintaining the railway.
Different parts of the affected route will be closed during different parts of the week. Travelers between Stockholm and Malmö will have to take long detours by train through western Sweden.
TRAIN ROUTES WILL BE CLOSED FOR A WEEK IN JUNE
Track work on the Southern Main Line week 24 (June 12–18):
Stockholm-Malmö, Norrköping-Linköping, Kimstad, Norsholm, Mjölby, Mantorp, Nässjö, Värnamo-Forsheda, Sjöatorp, Alvesta, Älmhult-Nässjö and Älmhult-Hässleholm.
A large number of works are being carried out during week 24 on the Norrköping and Hässleholm (Southern Main Line) and Alvesta – Värnamo (Coast to Coast Line). Passengers are advised to stay updated via the train company they will be travelling with during this week.
Source: TT-DI.SE
