Bane Nor sounds the alarm: the necessity for upkeep of the railway has elevated by 11 billion

– This yr’s report clearly exhibits that there should be an funding in upgrading extra services if the railway is to satisfy society’s expectations and calls for for punctuality and reliability, says government director Sverre Kjenne for Digitization and know-how in Bane Nor.

On Monday, Bane Nor printed the latest report InfraStatus 2023, an annual report that takes a take a look at the infrastructure for the railways in Norway.

On the finish of Could, the Nationwide Audit Workplace issued harsh criticism of Bane Nor and the Ministry of Transport for an absence of punctuality. Bane Nor CEO Thor Gjermund Eriksen acknowledged that Norwegian trains will not be punctual sufficient and pointed to elevated visitors and inadequate assets for upkeep.

Rising price ticket

Although greater than a fifth of the services want renewal, the overall situation of the railway remains to be categorised as “good”.

However the price ticket for the upkeep wants has subsequently elevated from final yr. Within the earlier report, it was estimated that upkeep would value NOK 112 billion. On this yr’s report, this price ticket has risen by NOK 11 billion to NOK 123 billion.

And the report notably highlights two main wants which can be essential within the years forward:

* Elements of the catenary services throughout the nation should be upgraded, services that present the trains with electrical energy to have the ability to run.

* Bettering the drainage alongside the railway in order that floods and landslides might be prevented. A minimum of 5,000 culverts should be renewed to permit water to circulation freely beneath the railway tracks in order that flooding and destruction don’t happen.

– Not designed for local weather change

The report additionally highlights how the intense climate Hans precipitated main harm to varied infrastructure in a number of locations in southern Norway.

The railway bridge Randklev bridge over Gudbrandsdalslågen in Ringebu collapsed within the wake of the storm and the flood in Lågen. The Dovrebanen was closed on the stretch till final month, when the bridge connection was reopened.

– Bane Nor has lately mapped the flood capability alongside the railway, and it seems that a number of services will not be designed to deal with the local weather adjustments we’re experiencing, writes Bane Nor.

The Bane Nor boss says there may be loads of outdated infrastructure and a few dilapidated services.

– This makes our work difficult, time-consuming and costly. There aren’t any easy options that give fast outcomes. We’re working to strengthen the railway in the long run, in collaboration with the prepare firms and our different colleagues within the sector, says CEO Thor Gjermund Eriksen.