SWEDEN: Stockholm metro operator MTR, consultancy SWECO and construction firm Skanska have proposed a SKr169bn investment in public transport to tackle a 50% increase in population in the Swedish capital predicted by 2070. MTR and its partners hope that the Stockholm 2070 study will start off a planning process that will lead to longer-term thinking in transport infrastructure decisions.
Key to the proposal outlined in the study is a SKr111bn transformation of the radial metro to a semi-circular network, including some reorganisation of current lines. A Blue Line extension and a new Yellow Line would provide alternative routes through the central Saltsjö-Mälaren section. This would increase capacity enough to allow for further expansion of the network and expected traffic growth. In total, construction of 86 km of new metro is proposed.
The study also proposes improvements on 122 km of main line railway, as well as new bus routes and cycle paths. The modal share of rail is expected to stay broadly the same as today, as cycling rises from 10% to 40% and car use falls by the same amount.
The study also suggests financing options for longer-term projects that would be new to Sweden but that MTR Corp is familiar with from its experience in Hong Kong, including using property development to fund infrastructure, and PPPs. It is predicted that the increase in property values could fund up to 59% of the combined infrastructure bill.
