John Ragnar Aarseth, the Norwegian Undersecretary within the Ministry of Transport, has inaugurated two new passing loops with a length of approximately 1,067 m in Rombak and Björnfjell.
Together with the passing loops at the stations Katterat and Straumsnes, which went into operation a few weeks ago, the capacity of Ofotbanen increased by 30 percent. The cost of the project amounted to NKr 295 million (EUR 30 million) Björnfjell for Rombak NKr 395 million (EUR 41 million). The mining company LKAB financed 30% of the costs for the development of the two passing loops.
All four intermediate stations Straumsnes, Rombak, Katterat and Björnfjell on the Norwegian side can now be crossed by the new iron ore trains with 750 meters length. Similarly, the development on the Swedish side is performed.
Both Jernbaneverket Infrastructure Director, Gorm Frimannslund, and Anders Björnström, Logistics Manager at LKAB, were impressed by the rapid progress of the works. Originally, plans indicated that Rombak should have been put in operation in autumn 2016.
Work on capacity expansion continues as in October preparatory work will start for the next new passing loops to be built at Djupvik, halfway between Narvik and Straumsnes, then Narvik station shall be extended. When Djupvik rail loop is build and Narvik rail station station works are finished all stations will have passing tracks over 1000 meters.
Photo: Undersecretary John Ragnar Aarseth opens Rombak passing loops officially by giving symbolic green light for ore train
© Jernbaneverket / Njål Svingheim
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