Leonhard Nilsen & Sønner AS (LNS) has been appointed by Jernbaneverket to construct a new passing loop on Norway’s Ofotbanen.
Jernbaneverket said work would begin on the new 7.8 – 9.3-kilometre section of railway between Narvik and Straumsnes station straight away and would be completed by autumn next year.
Project manager Simen Grenersen said much of the work would be done during a 12-week maintenance window in the summer. He said the passing loop would add capacity and improve punctuality on the “heavily congested” route.
The NOK 136 million contract includes the construction of an 830-metre single-track railway tunnel.
Several projects have been completed in recent years to allow the railway, which links the Port of Narvik with the Swedish border, to accommodate more traffic, as well as longer and heavier freight trains.