Definition
East Link (Swedish: Östlänken) is a planned double‑track railway tunnel that will form part of the Stockholm commuter rail network, providing a direct underground connection between the northern and southern sections of the network through central Stockholm.
Overview
The project is a major component of Sweden’s national rail development strategy and aims to increase capacity, reduce travel times, and improve reliability for commuter and regional services in the Stockholm metropolitan area. Construction began in 2017, with the tunnel expected to be completed and opened to traffic in the mid‑2020s. Upon completion, East Link will link the existing north‑bound tracks at Stockholm Central Station with the south‑bound tracks at Stockholm City Station, enabling through services without the need for trains to reverse direction at the surface terminus.
Etymology/Origin
The Swedish name Östlänken translates literally to “the east link.” The term reflects the tunnel’s function of linking the eastern side of the city’s rail network, complementing the existing western and northern connections.
Characteristics
- Length and Alignment: Approximately 7 km of underground track, running beneath central Stockholm from the northern district of Norrmalm to the southern district of Södermalm.
- Infrastructure: The tunnel will accommodate two standard‑gauge tracks, equipped with modern signalling (ETCS Level 2) and platform screen doors at the underground stations.
- Stations: Two new underground stations are planned—Stockholm City Station (under the central business district) and Odenplan Station—both designed for seamless transfers to metro, bus, and regional rail services.
- Capacity Impact: The addition of East Link is projected to increase the overall capacity of the Stockholm commuter rail system by up to 30 %, allowing more frequent services and reducing congestion on existing surface routes.
- Funding and Governance: The project is financed jointly by the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket), the Stockholm County Council, and the national government. It is overseen by a dedicated project organization within Trafikverket.
- Environmental Considerations: Extensive environmental impact assessments were conducted, with mitigation measures including noise reduction, groundwater management, and the use of low‑emission construction equipment.
Related Topics
- Stockholm commuter rail (Pendeltåg)
- Östgötalandsbanan (East Link railway in southern Sweden)
- Stockholm City Station
- Odenplan Station
- Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket)
- European Train Control System (ETCS)
- Urban rail tunnelling projects in Europe.