Sweco Secures EUR 40 Million Gothenburg Borås Design Contract

GOTHENBURG, Sweden – The Swedish Transport Administration, Trafikverket, has selected engineering consultancy Sweco for a EUR 40 million (440 million SEK) contract to provide planning and design services for a key section of the Gothenburg–Borås railway line. The contract will run from 2026 to 2030, focusing on the segment connecting Mölndal to Gothenburg Landvetter Airport. This project is part of a larger initiative to replace Sweden’s heavily congested single-track connections with modern high-speed infrastructure.

What Does This Contract Cover?

Sweco will deliver environmental impact assessments, hydraulic engineering designs, and regulatory permit documentation for the railway segment between Mölndal and Gothenburg Landvetter Airport. The scope of work is focused on the initial phases of the new double-track passenger line, which is designed for operating speeds of up to 250 km/h. To integrate the new corridor into the existing network, Sweco’s designs must facilitate connections to the West Link and regional express lines serving major hubs such as Gothenburg Central, Haga, and Korsvägen. Furthermore, the contract requires planning for a branch line to Mölnlycke and evaluating future station options at Bollebygd and Landvetter Södra. Detailed studies on environmental noise mitigation and grade-separated road intersections will also be conducted ahead of public consultations scheduled for 2027. While the contract establishes the technical baseline, Trafikverket has not yet disclosed the final construction start date or the total estimated capital expenditure for the entire line.

Key Contract Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Contracts?

The EUR 40 million valuation of this design contract reflects the complexity of integrating high-speed rail with airport infrastructure, matching the scale of other major Swedish rail planning awards. For comparison, in 2023, Trafikverket awarded contracts of similar magnitude for the Ostlänken (East Link) high-speed corridor, where planning and detailed design packages for individual segments typically ranged between SEK 200 million and SEK 500 million depending on geotechnical complexity. (Source: Trafikverket, 2023). However, unlike the Ostlänken project, which has faced multiple scope revisions and budget debates, the Gothenburg–Borås project must maintain compatibility with the ongoing West Link (Västlänken) underground project in Gothenburg, significantly increasing the technical coordination requirements for Sweco’s engineering teams. Independent verification of the exact construction budget for the Mölndal–Landvetter segment was not available at the time of publication.

Editor’s Analysis

Trafikverket’s decision to separate passenger and freight traffic on this corridor—leaving the legacy “Coast to Coast” line for freight—aligns with Sweden’s broader national strategy to decarbonize heavy logistics. As the Swedish rail sector increasingly coordinates with the country’s expanding low-carbon energy grid and nuclear capacity investments, such as the proposed SMR projects at Ringhals, this separation ensures that freight operators can leverage reliable, green power without competing for paths with 250 km/h passenger services. (Source: Power Magazine, 2026). Consequently, this agreement serves as a critical step in building a dual-purpose network that supports both rapid passenger transit and high-capacity green freight corridors.

FAQ

Q: What is the planned speed of the new Gothenburg–Borås railway line?
A: The new double-track railway line is designed for passenger trains operating at speeds of up to 250 km/h. This high-speed capability will significantly reduce travel times between Gothenburg and Borås.

Q: When will the public be able to review the environmental plans for the project?
A: A new round of public consultations is scheduled for 2027. During this phase, Trafikverket and Sweco will present the completed environmental impact studies and technical documentation.

Q: Will freight trains operate on the new high-speed line?
A: No, the new double-track infrastructure will be dedicated exclusively to passenger transport. Freight traffic and some regional services will continue to utilize the existing single-track “Coast to Coast” line.