Stockholm Metro Advances 99.8 Billion SEK Expansion Adding 30 Kilometres of Bedrock Tracks and 18 Underground Stations

Sweden’s Most Ambitious Urban Mass Transit Megaproject

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — In a monumental stride toward sustainable Nordic urban expansion, Region Stockholm and the Administration for Extended Metro (Förvaltning för utbyggd tunnelbana – FUT) are advancing heavy underground construction across the 99.8 billion SEK Nya Tunnelbanan (Stockholm Metro Expansion). Representing the largest civil transit infrastructure undertaking in Sweden in more than half a century, the historic initiative will expand Stockholm’s renowned subway system by 30 kilometres of new track and 18 brand-new underground stations.

The expansion encompasses multiple synchronized megaprojects across Greater Stockholm: extending the Blue Line northwest from Akalla to Barkarby; extending the Green Line branch to Arenastaden in Solna; tunneling the Blue Line south from Kungsträdgården beneath Saltsjön to Nacka and Söderort; and constructing a new automated Yellow Line connection to Älvsjö. Together, these extensions integrate booming suburban growth corridors with Stockholm’s inner-city commercial core.

Subterranean Bedrock Engineering and World-Class Station Caverns

Excavating dozens of metres through Scandinavian granite bedrock, engineering contractors have achieved remarkable technical feats. The Barkarby extension connects the metro directly with regional and commuter rail services at Barkarby Station, unlocking convenient transit for the new Barkarbystaden housing districts in Järfälla.

Meanwhile, the engineering teams constructing the extension to Nacka and Gullmarsplan have excavated vast underground caverns up to 100 metres below sea level, safely tunneling beneath the maritime waterways of the Stockholm archipelago. In keeping with Stockholm’s world-famous tradition of 'the world’s longest art gallery,' each new station cavern is designed by leading Swedish architectural firms and artists, featuring exposed sculpted rock surfaces, natural illumination shafts, and vibrant public art installations.

Next-Generation Bombardier Alstom Movia C30 Rolling Stock

To service the expanded network, Region Stockholm and public transport operator SL (Storstockholms Lokaltrafik) are introducing high-efficiency Movia C30 four-car articulated metro trains manufactured by Alstom (formerly Bombardier Transportation). Designed specifically for Nordic winter conditions, the C30 fleet features lightweight aluminum carbodies, full-width open gangways, regenerative electrical braking systems, and wide bi-parting doors for expedited platform dwell times.

The trains are equipped with computerized Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signaling that supports high-frequency headways of under two minutes during rush hours. All stations feature step-free level boarding access, high-speed multi-level elevators, and energy-efficient LED wayfinding displays integrated with SL’s regional travel app.

Anchoring 130,000 New Homes and Fossil-Free Nordic Growth

Swedish regional authorities underscored that Nya Tunnelbanan is inextricably tied to the 2013 and 2017 National Housing Agreements, which obligate participating municipalities to construct over 130,000 new energy-efficient homes along the new metro alignments. By providing rapid, high-capacity electrified transit ahead of residential occupancy, Stockholm prevents vehicular congestion before it starts.

Powered entirely by 100 percent fossil-free renewable hydro and wind electricity, the expanded metro network will displace tens of thousands of daily passenger vehicle trips from major motorways including the E4 and Essingeleden, reinforcing Stockholm’s global standing as one of the cleanest, most transit-connected capital cities in the world.