The two projects are part of the Danish Government’s Infrastructure Plan 2035 from the summer 2021. The plan includes sub-projects in the southern rail corridor, which will address the increasing capacity problems at Copenhagen Central Station by circumventing some of the rail traffic around the station.
“We’re delighted that the consultancy services for our two major rail projects are now in place. These two projects, together with our other activities relating to the expansion of New Kastrup Station on Amager, will give public transport a real boost,” says Lars Fuhr Pedersen, Construction Director, Sund & Bælt.
According to the Government’s Infrastructure Plan, the corridor offers the potential for more direct train departures and shorter travel time between Jutland/Funen, West Zealand, Roskilde, Copenhagen Vestegn and Amager. This requires an expansion of Copenhagen Airport Station – a project that Sund & Bælt has already started – and a new passing track for freight trains at Kalvebod.
A new reversing loop will also be established at Copenhagen Airport Station. This will enable delayed trains from Sweden to turn immediately after the platform so as to prevent delays from affecting other trains at Copenhagen Central Station. The reversing loop will also enable more Øresund trains to operate between Malmö and Copenhagen Airport Station.
The necessity for increased capacity on the line has also been prompted by the opening of the Fehmarnbelt link when more train traffic is expected.
"The railway is crucial for future freight and passenger transport between Scandinavia and the rest of Europe, where the increased potential to transport freight by train will be an important factor in more sustainable transport systems. At the same time, we will reduce the bottleneck on an important transport corridor,” says Lars Fuhr Pedersen.
NIRAS is delighted that the contract has now been signed and that the feasibility study can get underway.
"We’re looking forward to getting started. We have a good basis on which to begin, partly from the design of the Øresund Landanlæg some years back, which NIRAS contributed to, and partly from many newer railway construction projects, including the upgrading of the railway on Lolland and Falster,” says Jan Kragerup, Project Director, NIRAS.
The initial studies include clarification of the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) duty, the preparation of project proposals and their visualisation, as well as a number of analyses, including construction cost and socioeconomic calculations. The work will run until the spring of 2023. The Ministry of Transport will be then provided with a debriefing.
Facts about the passing track at Kalvebod
- New passing track of approx. 1,100 m. Also comprises the extension of a road bridge and the establishment of two new footbridges.
- The passing track will enable freight trains to be overtaken by passenger trains and for freight trains to be accommodated in the rest of the railway traffic
- Will improve train services without impacting Copenhagen Central Station
- Will deliver travel time savings to Amager and Copenhagen Airport Station
- Will relieve Copenhagen Central Station and will take advantage of the fact that the new line will free up capacity between Copenhagen and Roskilde.
Facts about the reversing loop at New Kastrup Station
- New reversing loop of approx. 250 m
- Will release capacity on the Øresund line for trains departing from Copenhagen Airport Station.
- Will reduce the risk of delays from delayed trains from Sweden
- Will strengthen Øresund traffic with more trains to and from Sweden
Facts about Ring Syd
- The link will enable direct trains to operate from Roskilde via New Ellebjerg to Copenhagen Airport Kastrup without the trains having to pass through Copenhagen Central Station.
- In addition to the passing track at Kalvebod and the reversing loop at Kastrup station Ring Syd also comprises:
- The establishment of two new platforms at Copenhagen Airport Station (executed by Sund & Bælt)
- The establishment of two new platforms at Ny Ellebjerg Station (executed by Metroselskabet)
- The establishment of new long-distance platforms at Glostrup Station (executed by Banedanmark)