Norway: a Rail Line for a New Era

Norway: A rail line for a new era

Rail capacity to Norway`s capital Oslo from the south-eastern parts of the country is over-subscribed. The combination of two important rail lines; Follobanen (the new Follo Rail Line) and the present Østfold Line, will herald a new era for rail traffic.

Follobanen will give more and faster trains to the growing population. Follobanen is “the gateway” to Europe and might be combined with high-speed trains to the continent.

Today, the Oslo-Ski project comprises the new double track Follobanen as well as a total reconstruction of the Ski station. The older eastern line “Østfold Rail Line” is today a bottleneck for traffic. Without a new double track line, there will not be sufficient capacity.

Follobanen will have a length of around 22 km and will in addition to increased capacity, give shorter journey times (22 km in 11 minutes) and improved punctuality on one of Norway’s most densely trafficked routes. The project will mark the completion of a four track line into Oslo from the south.

Local trains will continue to use the present Østfold Line, while faster trains will use the new double track line.

The longest railway tunnel

Follobanen will include Norway’s longest railway tunnel, at no less nearly 20 km. This will be the very first railway tunnel in Norway to be built with two separate tubes. Both TBM and drill & blast are considered. A bored tunnel can give less disturbances to the external environment (access tunnels and ground vibration) during the excavation phase.TBM is considered to be competitive regarding both price and time. The circular profile of TBM is suitable for railway. Full lining might be an advantage on railways designed for high speed and heavy traffic.

Regardless the choice of methods, the construction will be a great challenge for the Norwegian Rail Administration, for external consultants and for contractors taking part in the project.

Oslo Central Station is the major centre of railway activity in Norway. Follobanen will be constructed in a district with dens population and it will run through the eldest part of the capital with important sources of cultural heritage.

Cross-connections every 500 meters.

A brand new rail station

The new Ski station will be expanded to include six tracks, as well as new platforms. All platforms will be raised and extended. Accessibility and transfer within the station area will be improved. The Norwegian National Rail Administration will initially construct new storage tracks (train parking) before public areas are rebuilt, since the Norwegian rail company, NSB, will be taking delivery of many new trains from 2012. In 2010-2011, 50 km of cables were relaid in the station area in preparation for the major reconstruction work.

For the inhabitants the new station will also offer integration into the further development of Ski town centre, enhanced visual impression of the station, improved traffic flow on the roads around the station, universal designelements incorporated into the station and reduced railway barrier effect.

An environmental budget

Rail road is a sound way to travel, but an even more environmental friendly railroad is needed. When constructing the Follobanen in Norway, environmental consideration and knowledge is part of all the plans. Design plan: Documentation of lifetime impacts regarding material use, construction work, material, transport and operation. Construction plan: Eco procurement, buying green, improvement through better environmental solutions and products. Construction: Demanding “Environmental product declaration” (EPD) of the most important materials and demands for environmental accounting. The Norwegian National Rail works systematically for continuous improvement of safety to avoid injury to people, property and the environment.

3-stage planning

The first sods of earth were cut at the new Ski station on 7th May 2010. The Follo Rail Line is included in the Norwegian National Transport Plan as a prioritised project and the government has made a separate entry in the national budget for this project. The planning process for the Follo Rail Line comprises three stages: planning programme, impact study and zoning plan.

The impact study was the subject of a public hearing. Following this, the line will be subject to zoning in Oslo and in the communities of Oppegård and Ski. The course of the line will be finalised once the respective municipalities have finished this work – planned to be due by the end of 2012.

The project will then be subject to an external quality assurance in 2013. The probable start of construction for Follobanen is scheduled for 2014, but important preparations have already started.

Rail Norway!

The Norwegian National Rail Administration (Jernbaneverket) is the national railway authority. Jernbaneverket is responsible for the management of the national railway network, on behalf of the Ministry of Transport and Communication.

Through public funding and with a socio-economic perspective, the objective is to operate, maintain and develop the national railway network.

The Norwegian Parliament determines the annual funding through the national budget. Long-term planning is dealt with through the Norwegian Transport Plan in which the Parliament draws up the economic framework for the four year period.

Photo: Hilde Lillejord/The Norwegian National Rail Administration

Photo: Hilde Lillejord/Jernbaneverket