Sweco has been commissioned by Jernbaneverket, the Norwegian government’s agency for railway services, for an extensive railway project to modernise the Norwegian Östfold Line. The project is part of a major Intercity effort with Oslo as the hub. The assignment will be executed as a joint venture, with around half of the total estimated value of more than SEK 100 million going to Sweco.

“This is Sweco Norway’s largest transportation assignment to date. The end result of our work will increase capacity and lower maintenance costs on a section of railway line that is becoming increasingly important with the growth of the Oslo region,” says Tron Kjølhamar, CEO of Sweco Norway.

Sweco’s assignment involves analysing and planning a ten-kilometre-long section of railway line that includes a stop in the town of Moss, a key commuting area for Oslo. The new section will have a double track and run through tunnels in several places. When completed, the railway line will shorten the travelling time between Oslo and Moss and offer more frequent train departures.

Sweco’s work will begin in December and continue through October 2015. There is also an option for continuing the assignment through the scheduled commencement of construction in 2018. The contract value is estimated to more than SEK 100 million. The assignment will be executed as a joint venture, with Sweco and Rambøll sharing approximately equally in work duties and estimated value.