Stockholm City Line
Citybanan is a six -kilometer-long railway tunnel under construction under the Stockholm city center. The tunnel will contain two tracks for the Pendeltåg. The operation is scheduled to begin in 2017. The costs are estimated at 16 billion Swedish crowns.
History
Prior to 1870 there were two head stations in Stockholm, Stockholm Norra stambanan the north of the city and one in the south. A double-track railway connection (Swedish Sammanbindningsbanan ) between these terminals was inaugurated together with the Stockholm C station in 1871. When the track was built, wrong on the day ten trains. Due to the greatly increased number of trains been present for more considerations to expand the route. The narrow passage between Riddarholmen and Gamla stan is technically difficult to organize even more tracks, since the road to the central bridge is passed and prestigious buildings are located in close proximity.
In 1988 the construction of a third track and a tunnel variant were tested. The government decided in 1992 for the third track. After strong protests and civil court judgments against the expansion because of the monument protection on Riddarholmen the plan was dropped. In 1997 the construction of a second Årstabrücke and the four-tracked expansion to Stockholm södra station, it was decided this was completed in 2005. In 2000, the state railway administration Banverket was again commissioned to examine possible alternatives. 2005, the decision was made for the tunnel variant described here. Due to a change of government planning was stopped in 2006 to clarify the possible alternatives concluded. On 31 May 2007 the implementation of the project was finally approved. The ground-breaking ceremony of the project took place on 24 January 2009.
Current situation
The southern gateway to Stockholm C consists of a double-track line over Riddarholmen since 1871. These tracks are used by Pendeltåg, regional, long-distance and freight trains. The circuit has a maximum capacity of 24 trains per direction per hour, which is almost constantly achieved. A further expansion of public local and Regionalvehrkehrs is therefore not possible.
Moreover attracts a problem on this section of delays throughout the Greater Stockholm to himself. Long-distance trains from southern Sweden, ending in Stockholm C must exit the station to the north and there to change tracks before they can go back into the station and on to southern Sweden. In the direct exit to the south, the trains would momentarily block both tracks, this is not possible for reasons of capacity.
The Tunnel
The new line will extend to a length of six kilometers in a tunnel with two tracks. The tunnel starts at Tomteboda on the northern city limits of Stockholm next to the Karolinska Institute. Here branches off the route from the northern entrance to Stockholm C. The tunnel then crosses under Vasastaden, Norrmalm, Riddarholmen, the Söderström and Södermalm. It ends södra the existing underground station in Stockholm.
The tunnel will be excavated by drilling and blasting, this six working tunnel to be created. In addition to the tunnel is a continuous escape and service tunnel is created. A total of 4.5 million tons of rock must be moved. At the lowest point at the station centralen the tunnel is 40 meters below the surface. The Söderström is traversed in a concrete tunnel on the bottom thereof, which is composed of prefabricated parts of the water surface. An under-crossing is not possible due to the depth.
Stations
Station Odenplan
The station below the district Vasastaden will consist in the first stage of an agent platform with two tracks. An extension by a second platform on four tracks is possible at a later date. Here is an interchange with Tunnelbana ( Gröna linjen ) and city buses will exist. In addition, some stores will be integrated into the station. In terms of passenger numbers, the second largest railway station in Sweden and want to replace the existing station Karlberg. In all stations glass doors separate the passengers from the railroad tracks, which are not open until the complete shutdown of trains.
Station City
The station is at the lowest point of the tunnel are 40 feet below the ground. The station is located next to the main train station below the railway station of Tunnelbana ( Blå linjen ). Here interchanges are made for all lines to the Tunnelbana. The station will have two central platforms and four tracks, the main entrance is located at the Klarabergsgatan / Vasagatan.
Stockholm Södra
The tunnel ends at the existing station Södra. This is underground and consists of two central platforms and four tracks. A platform for Pendeltåg thereof is used, the other for the other traits. For this purpose necessary unbundling of trains crossing structure between Älvsjö and Årsta is planned. Pendeltåg will use the new Årstabrücke. A reconstruction of the station to use the other platform for the Pendeltåg is possible at a later date.
Pictures of the construction
Tunnel front, Sept. 2009
Working tunnel, Sept. 2009
Tunneling, Sept. 2009