The North Bothnia Line – a railway that creates opportunities

SE26 project

The North Bothnia Line (Norrbotniabanan) is one of northern Sweden's largest infrastructure projects and a fundamental prerequisite for Skellefteå's long-term development. The railway will enable climate-smart travel and transport along the coast of northern Norrland, and strengthen business opportunities and the region's competitiveness.

The North Bothnia Line is a planned 270-kilometer coastal railway between Umeå and Luleå that will offer a fast, safe, and green way to travel along the coast of Norrland. It is an important piece of the puzzle in the transition to a more sustainable, accessible and interconnected society. Together with new travel centers in Skellefteå, Bureå, and Byske, the railway will create new opportunities for residents and businesses in the municipality of Skellefteå.

– Without functioning public transport, robust transport systems and smart mobility solutions, we cannot fully build the sustainable society we strive for. A modern and sustainable infrastructure is key to ensuring that the green transition and societal transformation can continue. This creates conditions for people and businesses to thrive, grow and develop Skellefteå and the region together. That is why the North Bothnia Line is very important to us, says Karin Degerfeldt, Head of Community Development at Skellefteå municipality.

Distances bridged

Skellefteå is currently Sweden's largest city without passenger train service. Those who wish to travel by train are instead referred to Jörn, in the northwestern part of the municipality, from Bastuträsk in the neighboring municipality of Norsjö or from Umeå – 130 km away.
– For our residents, the North Bothnia Line will make a huge difference. Living in one coastal city here in the north and working in another coastal city will suddenly become possible for many more when the railway halves travel times. It will also provide access to entertainment, leisure activities, studies, and other things in other towns in a completely different way than what is possible today, says Karin Degerfeldt.

Challenges during construction

The Swedish Transport Administration is responsible for planning and constructing the North Bothnia Line. Planning is being carried out in close collaboration with Skellefteå municipality. In February 2025, the government gave the green light to begin construction of the railway from Dåva outside Umeå up to Degerbyn in Skellefteå. The line further north towards Luleå is in the planning stage.

Construction planning for the line up to Degerbyn in central Skellefteå is underway, and the construction of the North Bothnia Line presents both challenges and opportunities. One major challenge facing the project is how to manage traffic flow in the community when a new railway is being built along one of the most central, traffic-heavy, and commercially important roads through central Skellefteå.

– How to keep traffic flowing and the community accessible while the North Bothnia Line is being built is one of our most important issues to deal with. This is particularly true in the city of Skellefteå, where the impact will be greatest with diversions and affected crossings. That is why we and the Swedish Transport Administration are working to find ways to keep the community accessible, available, and safe for our residents, despite the construction work. One planning requirement is that new crossings must be opened before existing ones are closed, for example, says Lisa Gahm, project manager for the North Bothnia Line at Skellefteå municipality.

Focus on walking and cycling as the transport system changes

Although there are challenges, the opportunities offered by the North Bothnia Line are greater. Among other things, the railway will affect many of Skellefteå's crossings over and under the railway, which will be rebuilt. Several pedestrian and bicycle crossings then will be widened and new ones added.
– The North Bothnia Line is a historically significant infrastructure project that will change both the cityscape and the transport system. This has given us, as a municipality, a great opportunity to create wider, safer, and more inviting new passages for pedestrians and cyclists. We are striving to get more people to cycle and walk, and we are taking this opportunity to make it easier and more enjoyable to choose sustainable modes of transport. It is a long-term investment that will make a big difference, says Lisa Gahm.

 Questions and answers about the project

Read more: SE26 project