Varberg Tunnel Project Profile

The Varberg Tunnel is a critical infrastructure upgrade on Sweden’s West Coast Line, involving the construction of a 3.1km double-track railway tunnel beneath the city of Varberg. This project replaces a single-track, at-grade alignment, significantly increasing capacity and operational speed while enabling major urban redevelopment by removing the existing rail barrier to the seafront.

Technical Specifications

The core of the project is a new 9km double-track alignment between Varberg and Hamra, designed to eliminate a key bottleneck on the Gothenburg-Skåne corridor. The 3.1km tunnel segment is a complex structure, comprising a 2.8km rock tunnel excavated using drill-and-blast methods and a 300-meter concrete cut-and-cover section. This subterranean alignment allows for the demolition of the old at-grade railway, a new freight yard, and the construction of a modern, subterranean station integrated with the city’s urban fabric. The project also included the construction of several new bridges and extensive geotechnical engineering to manage the challenging ground conditions beneath an active city center. The new line will be equipped with the ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) signalling system, ensuring interoperability and high safety standards across the European network.

Key Takeaways

• Capacity Enhancement: The transition from a single to a double track through Varberg doubles the line’s capacity, enabling more frequent passenger and freight services and improving timetable reliability on this crucial European transport corridor.
• Urban Integration and Regeneration: By placing the railway in a tunnel, the project removes the physical barrier that historically divided the city of Varberg, unlocking valuable land for urban development and improving public access to the coastline.
• Benchmark for Complex Infrastructure: The successful execution of tunneling beneath a populated urban center while coordinating with numerous public and private stakeholders serves as a key reference model for future large-scale railway infrastructure projects in sensitive environments.

FAQ

When will the Varberg Tunnel open?
The Varberg Tunnel is scheduled to complete its main construction phase by the end of 2025. Following a period of system testing and commissioning, it is expected to become fully operational for train traffic in early 2026.

Who is building the Varberg Tunnel?
The Varberg Tunnel project is being managed and funded by the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket). The primary construction contract was awarded to Implenia, an international construction company, who is responsible for building the tunnels, bridges, and the new station.