Gothenburg–Borås railway line is moving ahead, with Sweco taking on a major planning and design role for Trafikverket. The project will connect Gothenburg with Landvetter Airport, Sweden’s second-largest airport, and support passenger rail development in western Sweden.

Gothenburg–Borås railway line: Sweco’s new role
Gothenburg–Borås railway line: Sweco’s new role

The Swedish Transport Administration has selected Sweco to provide planning and design services for the new railway between Gothenburg and Borås. The contract covers the period from 2026 to 2030 and is valued at EUR 40 million, or 440 million Swedish kronor.

Under the assignment, Sweco will carry out environmental impact studies and prepare technical documentation for hydraulic engineering works. The company will also compile the permit documentation required for the planned railway section between Mölndal and Gothenburg Landvetter Airport.

Gothenburg–Borås railway line moves into design phase

The new connection is part of one of Sweden’s largest infrastructure programs. It will be built as a passenger-only railway and designed for speeds of up to 250 km/h, a technical parameter also reflected in the European Commission’s CEF project fiche for the Gothenburg–Borås rail link.

The Gothenburg–Borås corridor is one of the busiest commuter routes in the country. Road traffic and bus services already cause significant congestion, and the existing single-track railway line can no longer meet transport demand.

A double-track passenger railway designed for 250 km/h will significantly reduce travel time between Gothenburg and Borås. It will also allow the number of trains on the route to increase considerably.

Landvetter Airport railway connection and new stations

The planned infrastructure includes three stations: Mölndal, Landvetter Airport, and Borås. The infrastructure plan also leaves open the possibility of future stations at Bollebygd and Landvetter Södra, as reflected in Trafikverket’s project description.

The Landvetter Airport railway connection will give passengers from several parts of western Sweden direct access to the airport by train. The new line will connect with the West Link, and regional express trains will also serve Korsvägen, Haga, and Gothenburg Central stations.

The current “Coast to Coast” line will remain in operation after the new infrastructure is completed. It will continue to handle both passenger and freight transport, while the new route will focus on passenger services.

Permits, studies and public consultations

Trafikverket is also planning a branch line to Mölnlycke. This branch would provide direct access to the new railway and improve connections to Gothenburg, Mölndal, Borås, and Landvetter Airport.

The next phase of Gothenburg–Borås railway line planning will focus on environmental impact, noise reduction measures, and solutions for road infrastructure that crosses the future railway.

A new round of public consultations is scheduled for 2027. At that stage, the complete documentation package, including the environmental impact study, is expected to be presented.