Build the Northern Norway Railway now! – altaposten.no
The Northern Norway Railway is one of the most important transport projects to ensure a fair distribution of infrastructure in Norway. While parts of the country have gained modern railway development, with high-speed trains and new double tracks, Northern Norway is still without a train service.
This means that residents and business in the region are forced to pay soaring flight prices or drive long, weathered detours to get ahead. It is not acceptable in 2025!
A paired and stronger region
Red Troms demands that the Northern Norway railway be realized. This will not only give the population better transport opportunities, but also strengthen business, reduce transport costs and make Northern Norway more accessible. In addition, the project will help to tie the region more closely together with the rest of the country and the European railway network.
Nevertheless, a plan for the Northern Norway Railway cannot stop at Tromsø or Skibotn. A railway that is not continued into Finnmark can hardly be called a full solution. All of Northern Norway deserves modern and sustainable infrastructure in line with the rest of the country.
This is also about our general total preparedness, civil and defense – with more and faster opportunities to move people and cattle and goods and materials we are necessarily safer in all kinds of situations, crises and war.
A necessary climate measure
Railway is the most environmentally friendly means of transport we have. Although the development will lead to temporary emissions, the Northern Norway track will in the long run reduce the climate impact significantly. A completed track will be able to replace large parts of heavy transport on the road, as well as short and polluting domestic flights. This is an investment in the infrastructure of the future that Norway cannot afford to postpone anymore.
Sami rights and natural considerations
The Northern Norway Railway must be built in close dialogue with the Sami interests, the reindeer husbandry industry and local communities. Development of infrastructure cannot take place at the expense of indigenous rights or vulnerable nature. Fortunately, modern technology makes it possible to design the route in a way that takes into account the as far as possible to reindeer husbandry, marsh and species diversity. Among other things, the track can be built on pillars in critical areas to minimize nature interventions. An open and respectful process with Sami organizations and affected communities must form the basis for all decisions.
Massive popular support – and a clear message from the national meeting
The Northern Norway Railway has broad support in the population. A poll shows that 60% of Norway’s population supports the development, while as many as 78% of the population in Northern Norway are positive about the project. This shows a clear popular willingness to get the track realized.
At Rødt’s national meeting in 2025, it was decided to retain the Northern Norway Railway in the party program, while at the same time investigating how the track can be continued north. This emphasizes that the fight for the Northern Norway railway is not over. On the contrary, it is more important than ever.
Enough talk-Build the Northern Norway Railway!
Red Troms demands that the government immediately follow up the Storting’s decision from 2021 and put the Northern Norway railway on rails. It’s time for nation building! The region cannot wait any longer. At the same time as the billions are rolling out to new railway projects in the south to save minutes in travel time, Northern Norway remains a total of overlooked and prioritized. This injustice must end.
Norway needs the Northern Norway Line. The Nordic countries need the Northern Norway Railway. Build the Northern Norway Railway now!
