Residents of Piteå, Sweden, have voted in favor of a plan to route the new Norrbotniabanan railway through the city center. The preliminary results, released late Sunday, showed 7,491 votes for the central route, compared to 3,972 votes for an alternative alignment along the E4 highway and near Lomtjärn.
The vote, Piteå’s first-ever municipal referendum, was prompted by a citizen initiative that gathered over 4,000 signatures. The Norrbotniabanan is a planned railway line between Umeå and Luleå, intended to provide faster, safer, and more environmentally friendly transportation options throughout the region. Trafikverket, the Swedish Transport Administration, had previously decided on the central Piteå route.
The outcome of the referendum will be forwarded to the Swedish government, the Riksdag’s transport committee, and Trafikverket, as requested by the citizen’s initiative. Piteå municipality is actively collaborating with Trafikverket to develop the best possible solutions for the city and its residents as the project moves forward. The railway is expected to spur development in the area, including a new central transportation hub and a regional train station in Norrfjärden.
Construction of the Norrbotniabanan between Skellefteå and Luleå is slated to begin no later than 2033, according to national plans. The decision to proceed with the central Piteå route underscores the community’s support for a modern transportation infrastructure that prioritizes accessibility and regional connectivity.
