The East Link, a new doubletrack railway
The East Link is an approximately 160 kilometre long stretch of new railway between Järna and Linköping. The new railway enables more trains, sustainable transport, smoother and safer journeys and larger labour market regions.
What?
The East Link is an approximately 160 kilometre long stretch of new railroad between Järna and Linköping.
Why?
The new railway enables more trains, sustainable transport, smoother and safer journeys and larger labour market regions.
Now
Planning and project design is ongoing. We will start building the railway year 2024 and open for traffic in 2035.
About the Project
Today, the tracks are crowded, while more people want to travel by train and more goods need to be transported. We are now starting the expansion. The East Link is a 160 kilometer long double-track railway between Järna and Linköping. The new railway enables more trains, sustainable transport, smoother and safer journeys and larger labour market regions.
More tracks mean that more people can travel and that more goods can be transported by rail, instead of by road. Less congestion on the tracks also creates the conditions for efficient maintenance of the railway.
When we expand, the country will be tied together and it will be easier to commute, study and work.
Synth interpreted film about The East Link and the expansion of the railway in Sweden.
Short facts about the East Link
- 160 km double-track railway
- 3 counties (Stockholm, Södermanland and Östergötland)
- 5 municipalities (Södertälje, Trosa, Nyköping, Norrköping and Linköping)
- 5 new travel hubs (Vagnhärad, Nyköping, Skavsta, Norrköping and Linköping)
- 25 percent of the East Link will be built on bridges or in tunnels
- A maximum speed of 250 km/h
- Construction conducted 2024–2034
- Open for traffic in 2035
Films
On the Swedish Transport Administration’s YouTube channel you can watch informative films about different aspects of the project. Subscribe to our playlist!
The East Link playlist on YouTube
Time table
Here you can find information on what has already been done and where in the process we currently are.
2001–2010
The Swedish Transport Administration produced a pre-study for the East Link. The County Administrative Board in Södermanland, together with the Administrative Boards of Stockholm and Östergötland, found that the project will most likely have noticeable environmental impact.
2018
In 2018 the Swedish government decided to give the project permission to proceed, and established the corridor between Järna and Tallboda for the East Link.
2014–2025
Before we can begin the actual construction of the East Link we need to plan, conduct studies and investigations, and secure a number of permits. During this phase of the project we will produce Railway Plans, which is detailed descriptions of how the railroad will be built and designed. The East Link is divided into 13 separate Railway Plans. These plans also needs to contain environmental-impact assessments. An environmental-impact assessment describes the project’s likely impact on the environment, both during and after construction. We will also seek necessary permits for water operations and make sure that archaeological surveys are being conducted. All through the planning stages of the project we will consult stakeholders, people and businesses effected by the construction and completion of the new railway.
Review is the final stage before the Railway Plans is approved. This means that the Railway Plans will be sent to stakeholders for remiss. When the Railway Plans are approved all permits needed to build new railway are in place and construction can begin.
2024–2034
The East Link will be built in stages. Work will commence in the North, where we are furthest along in the planning process.
2035
The East Link open for traffic.