Making Uppsala safer and better connected
With long delays during peak hours and a history of fatal incidents, the level crossings have posed significant risks to pedestrians, cyclists, and road users alike. On busy weekday mornings, barriers are down close to 40% of the time.
Trafikverket’s Uppsala Planfria Korsningar project (UPK) aims to eliminate the level crossings, improve rail capacity on the East Coast Line, and unlock safer, more accessible routes for all road users. It’s one of the most technically complex infrastructure projects in the region.
Enabling smoother urban mobility
Ramboll was awarded a contract by Trafikverket to deliver the tender and partial detailed design for the tunnels. The objective is to improve pedestrian, cycle, and road safety while enabling smoother urban mobility in one of Sweden’s fastest-growing cities.
Ramboll’s understanding of the project’s technical and stakeholder landscape later led to a second role: supporting the contractor Infrakraft with design and build services. Our multidisciplinary team helped with the structural and foundation solutions, and together with Infrakraft reduced carbon emissions, construction risk, and overall cost through strategic design adaptations.
Precision delivery under pressure
With tight construction windows and active railway operations, precision planning was vital. The collaboration came to the test during critical operations, such as the 64-hour bridge launch during a full train stop.
"This project is a strong example of how collaboration between clients, designers, and contractors can unlock smarter, safer, and more sustainable infrastructure outcomes, especially in busy urban environments where there is little room for error," says Nina Hydbom, Project Manager for Ramboll.
This project is more than a technical upgrade, it’s a purposeful intervention for urban liveability and resilience. By removing level crossings, the UPK tunnels reduce the risk of accidents, support sustainable mobility, and create room for greener, more connected urban spaces.