The large industrial investments in Norrbotten and Västerbotten mean that the government wants to bring forward already decided infrastructure investments.
At a press conference on Thursday, Minister of Infrastructure Tomas Eneroth (S) announced that the Swedish Transport Administration will now be commissioned to examine whether it is possible to bring forward and accelerate already decided investments.
"Bringing infrastructure investments forward is a smart job policy and can be an important part of achieving the goal of becoming the world's first fossil-free welfare state more quickly," says Eneroth.
Deficiencies and bottlenecks
Two examples of large industrial projects that are underway are Northvolt's battery factory in Skellefteå and Hybrits' facilities in Luleå, which will produce fossil-free steel.
The Swedish Transport Administration will also investigate any deficiencies and bottlenecks in the infrastructure that may arise due to the large establishments that are now underway and planned, according to Eneroth.
- It is about both goods and passenger transport for citizens, but not least for business.
This may include, for example, additional efforts on the ore line, the inland line and the E4, he says.
No later than 22 November, the Swedish Transport Administration must report on its assignment.
799 billion for road and rail
In April, the Minister of Infrastructure announced that the government wants to spend SEK 799 billion on maintaining and developing roads and railways in the years 2022–2033.
This is an increase of 21 percent compared to the current plan.
The new infrastructure bill has been negotiated between the two red-green governing parties S and MP, as well as C and L. The bill sets the financial framework for maintenance and investments for roads and railways over the next twelve years.