Sweden’s Western Mail Line, which connects the two country’s main cities, has reopened to traffic after eight weeks of renovations. However, the line will not reach full capacity until July 2027, especially for access to the port of Gothenburg.
The section from the port to Alingsås was closed on 22 July to create additional capacity and refurbish the infrastructure. The extra capacity came in the form of a fourth track in Lerum “so that long-distance and freight trains can pass stationary commuter trains”, the Swedish Transport Administration Trafikverket said.
The infrastructure works included the replacement of eight switches and “parts of the track between Gothenburg and Alingsås” as well as the renovation of four tunnels and two bridges.
Restrictions until next year
Despite these renovations being delivered on time, trains to and from Gothenburg will continue to experience some disruptions. The traction power supply system is being renovated between Floda and Alingsås, a few kilometres east of the port. Thus, trains between these two locations will have to run on a single track until 18 July 2027, Trafikverket underlined.
“Even during this last year of work, traffic needs to be completely closed on certain weekends the entire route between Gothenburg and Alingsås”, it added. More specifically, there will be complete closures in seven weekends in 2026 and in 13 more during 2027, plus a few more on some weekdays.