Train Traffic in Västernorrland Cancelled Due to Damaged Embankment
Train traffic in the Västernorrland region has been cancelled as a result of a damaged embankment, according to SVT Västernorrland. The damage, caused by heavy rainfall and high flows, has occurred in two locations between Sundsvall and Härnösand.
Bengt Olsson, the press manager for Trafikverket, explained that “the rail is a little in the air in one place. The water has washed away parts of the embankment.” The discovery of the damage was made by a train driver, and in consultation with the Swedish Transport Administration, it was decided that reducing speed was not sufficient, and the traffic was halted.
There is hope that the train traffic will resume on Monday, although a complete forecast is not available at this time. It is worth noting that this approach is similar to the one taken following a previous derailment in Hudiksvall. Olsson emphasized the difficulty of the situation, saying, “The hard part is that it’s never black or white, it’s not ones and zeros on a computer screen. You have to judge how bad it is and whether it can handle it or not.”
While freight traffic is being diverted, travelers can take a bus between Härnösand and Sundsvall as an alternative means of transportation.
The damaged embankment serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by inclement weather and its impact on infrastructure. This incident highlights the importance of ongoing maintenance and proactive measures to ensure the safety and efficiency of railway networks. Authorities will continue to work towards resolving the issue and restoring normal train operations as soon as possible.