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 design elements 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.
The Follo Rail Line, Norway
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22 km of new double-track railway line between Norway`s capital Oslo and Ski
No stop between Oslo-Ski
Designed for 200 km/h/250 km/h
Approximately 19,5 km tunnel
Two separate tubes with cross-passage every 500 meters
Both Drill and Blast and TBM are considered
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The volume of mass from the tunnel will be app 4.5 million m total volume rock
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= app 7.2 million m excavated muck
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Facilitating a possible rail line going south - constructed for high speed trains
Freight connection to Alnabru is considered, but not part of the project
1,1 million residents in the Oslo region
150 000 passengers every day
30 % population increase by 2025
Road traffic is increasing
Currently no spare capacity on railway or road
Great potential for increased freight traffic
High speed train line towards Sweden and Europe is currently considered
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. Longterm 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
The Norwegian National Rail Administration:
Photo: Hilde Lillejord/Jernbaneverket
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developing and operating a rail network to meet the requirements of society
and the market
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railway stations and terminals
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timetabling
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traffic management
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regulation of the public rail network
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studies and planning in the rail sector
Please visit www.jernbaneverket.no
JBV/UF February 2012