Systra Secures Copenhagen M4 Metro 1.6km Extension Denmark

Systra Awarded Copenhagen M4 Metro Extension Contract

Systra’s Danish division, in collaboration with local firm Vanovis, has been awarded a contract by operator Metroselskabet to provide land and regulatory advice for a 1.6 km extension of Copenhagen’s M4 metro line. The project will add two new elevated stations to serve developing residential zones in the city’s northern port area. The new section is scheduled for completion and opening in 2030.

Project Scope and Sustainability Targets

The M4 northern extension will be constructed entirely on a 1.6 km viaduct, connecting the existing network to two new stations: Ydre Nordhavn – Levantkaj and Nordsø Plads. The project is designed to support the urban development of a former port area, providing high-capacity transit for an estimated 40,000 new residents. The network’s design objective is to ensure that 80% of the area’s population will reside less than 600 meters from a metro station.

A primary objective mandated by Danish authorities is a 50% reduction in the carbon footprint of the new extension compared to previous sections of the line. This target is expected to be achieved primarily during the design phase through the specification of sustainable materials and the implementation of lower-impact construction methodologies. Once operational, the extension is projected to reduce local car traffic by approximately 14%.

Systra’s role encompasses land and regulatory advisory services. Verification data confirms the scope will also include technical specifications and cost analysis, reinforcing the company’s integrated partnership with Metroselskabet.

Strategic Context and Long-Term Partnership

This contract extends a long-standing collaboration between Systra and Metroselskabet. Systra was previously involved in the design of the M4 line, which was inaugurated in phases between 2020 and 2024, including a southern extension that opened in June 2024. The firm also contributed to the development of the M3 Cityringen line, a 15.5 km fully automated circular line with 17 underground stations that opened in 2019, which forms a ring around the city center and integrates with the regional rail network.

The M4 extension project is a component of Copenhagen’s broader urban strategy, which links transport infrastructure development directly to the regeneration of former industrial lands. By providing automated metro access, the city facilitates high-density residential and commercial growth while managing transport demand and environmental impact. The award reinforces Systra’s position as a key technical partner in Copenhagen’s multi-decade metro expansion program, which now includes the contract for the design of the future M5 line, awarded to a Systra-led consortium in 2025.

Next Steps

The project will proceed to the detailed design and regulatory approval stages, with construction timelines being finalized to meet the 2030 operational deadline. In parallel, Systra’s work on the M5 line design will continue, shaping the subsequent phase of the city’s automated transit network development.