3 key takeaways from the Swedish government’s infrastructure proposition

On Thursday, October 3, the Swedish government presented its infrastructure proposition, committing an unprecedented total of 1,171 billion SEK for future maintenance and development. A key element of this proposal is the involvement of the private sector to meet the substantial need for investment efficiency and innovations.

The new proposition sets the investment framework for the period 2026–2037, outlining long-term plans and priorities for the development and maintenance of Sweden’s transport infrastructure, including roads, railways, ports, and airports. A central theme is the emphasis on partnerships. We share our main takeaways on how the government’s infrastructure proposition can support the way we work together across sectors:

1. A historic rise in investment need requires collaboration between private and public actors – an old, but still good, piece of news for the infrastructure system. The government plans to increase infrastructure investments by 200 billion SEK, a 21% increase compared to the previous plan. This historic rise in investment needs underscores the importance of collaboration between private and public actors, which is beneficial for the entire infrastructure system. At Infranode, we have been advocating for this for over a decade, and we have firsthand experience of how combined learnings and expertise from both sectors can lead to successful projects.
2. Collaborative financing models are key to addressing needs and spur innovation. With the proposition, the government opens up to collaborative financing models that can support efficiency and bring in learnings from the private sector. Suggested projects for co-financing are the Malmbanan railway, connecting Boden and Narvik in Norway, and the Stockholm’s Eastern Link, to establish a ring road around the city. These projects are crucial for Swedish business and enterprise.
3. Infrastructure investments are enablers for accelerating the green transition. With the proposition focusing on the renovation and investment needs for infrastructure across the country, transition-oriented investments are also high on the agenda. The re-industrialization of Northern Sweden is currently facing challenges, but development needs to continue. With the government’s priority of creating a double track between Luleå and Boden to support industry there, as well as a continued focus on how private investment can accelerate the transition, this signals the importance of continued transition investments.

To transform the landscape of infrastructure and to overcome current challenges, collaboration is the only way forward. That is a clear signal from the government, with many proof points from us at Infranode. We look forward to continuing to work toward infrastructure that creates value for society, today and tomorrow.

Contact information

Infranode
Cornelia Böttiger
Head of Communications
+46 (0) 735 15 41 06
cornelia.bottiger@infranode.se