Social Democrats want railway to the North

The Swedish centre-right government wants to invest 400 billion SEK in new roads and railways over the next 13 years. Now, the opposition Social Democrats say they want the investments to be even higher, raising their infrastructure bid to 440 billion SEK (40,8 billion EUR). Among the priority projects of the social democrats is the North Botnia railway line (Norrbottniabanan) which is to link the northern cities of Umeå and Luleå. The project has been discussed in Sweden for several years, but no decision has yet been taken following uncertain cost benefits. Now, the project should be materialized, the party says, arguing that almost 60 percent of all railway cargo is shipped from the northern parts of the country. Meanwhile, northern Swedish counties mobilize support for the project. The stock company Norrbotniabanan (The North Botnia Line) was recently established in order to keep up pressure in the project. At the same time, supporters say the projected railway could benefit also northern Finland and Norway with its alternative transport route towards the south.