Swedish Infrastructure Plan Targets Decades of Maintenance Backlog

The Swedish Transport Administration has presented a comprehensive infrastructure plan for 2026-2037, aiming to address and eliminate the longstanding maintenance backlog affecting the country's road and rail networks. With an unprecedented budget allocation nearing SEK 1,200 billion, the plan focuses on ensuring that Sweden's transport systems are reliable and capable of supporting national development and economic growth.

According to the proposal, well-maintained roads and railways are critical for efficient travel and transport, enabling businesses and individuals to depend on timely deliveries and commutes. This, in turn, is expected to bolster regional connections, facilitate labor and housing mobility, and support the competitiveness of Swedish enterprises.

A key component of the plan is the prioritization of major transport routes, with the intention of delivering visible improvements in the near term. The strategy sets out to fully eliminate the accumulated road maintenance deficit by 2037, with the railway sector's backlog targeted for completion by 2050, aligning with industry-wide objectives.

The plan provides for significant increases in maintenance funding, especially in regions such as Värmland, where additional grants have already been allocated to road upkeep. Emphasis is placed on enhancing road load-bearing capacity, a critical factor for freight transport and national defense logistics. The proposal includes upgrading the entire BK1 road network to the highest load-bearing class, BK4, allowing for the use of 74-ton trucks. Furthermore, increased financial support is earmarked for private and rural roadways.

Beyond maintenance, the plan outlines record investments in expanding capacity, improving travel times, and enhancing traffic safety. Approximately 80 percent of new investment funds are directed towards railway projects. Ongoing capacity enhancements on the Värmlandsbanan railway will be supplemented by additional passing tracks, and similar upgrades are planned for the Norway-Vänern Line. The rollout of the advanced European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) is being accelerated to modernize operations and improve efficiency.

To ensure effective resource allocation, the Swedish Transport Administration has introduced a new methodology that ranks all investments based on socioeconomic profitability. This approach weighs projected benefits against costs, taking into account both corridor and system-wide effects. The agency aims to increase transparency in decision-making, making it easier for stakeholders to understand the criteria behind investment priorities.

The plan also addresses the expectation that all projects previously investigated should be implemented, regardless of cost. In a shift towards fiscal responsibility, several projects with costs exceeding their anticipated benefits have been removed from the current plan or slated for reevaluation. In Värmland County, for example, certain central barrier projects on the E45 and E18 highways have been excluded due to escalated costs.

While there may be perceptions of investment being concentrated in major urban centers, the proposal emphasizes the necessity of a functioning transport network across the entire country. Reliable infrastructure is highlighted as vital not only for economic growth and employment but also for national defense and regional quality of life.

By focusing on existing infrastructure and selecting projects that provide the greatest societal value, Sweden aims to build a resilient transport system that meets present and future demands. The plan reflects a commitment to strategic maintenance and investment, ensuring that resources are used efficiently to benefit all regions.