Bane NOR, Norway’s railway infrastructure management agency, has received official approval for a major expansion of Rygge station on the Østfold Line, one of the country’s major railway lines. Located in the Moss Municipality of the Østfold region, Rygge station is a critical stopover point for train services to the capital Oslo S, Halden and the major Swedish city of Gothenburg. The expansion aims to meet the station’s increasing passenger and freight traffic demands, as well as increase the overall efficiency and capacity of the railway network.
Rygge Station to Switch to Tri-Rail System
This important project, which will be implemented by Bane NOR, envisages the transformation of Rygge station from the existing two-track system to a modern three-track system. In addition to this transformation, a new and extensive train parking facility will be built at the station. The modern facility will be capable of accommodating up to eight pairs of trains at a time. This increase in capacity is considered a vital step in meeting the increasing passenger demand and increasing the frequency of services, especially on the Oslo-Moss route. The new train parking facility will enable more efficient storage and maintenance of trains, contributing to the smooth running of overall railway operations.
Construction Planning and Environmental Sensitivity
Detailed planning work for the implementation of the Rygge station expansion project has officially begun as of January 2025. This critical planning phase includes the land acquisition process required by the project, as well as optimizing the design of the facility to be built in a way that complies with the highest safety standards, is cost-effective and takes into account environmental sustainability principles. Bane NOR will continue to work closely with the relevant local and national authorities at every stage of the project’s planning and construction processes. This cooperation is crucial to ensure the smooth progress of the project and compliance with all legal requirements.
Completion Target August 2030
The project is expected to be completed between 2027 and 2030, with both the expanded Rygge station and the new train parking facilities expected to be completed by August 2030. This ambitious timeline reflects the importance of the project and Bane NOR’s commitment to developing rail infrastructure. The development of Rygge station is an important part of a wider InterCity initiative, which aims to improve the quality and efficiency of rail services on the Østfold Line overall. The initiative also includes a significant increase in the frequency of train services on the Oslo-Moss route, which will significantly improve transport access in the region.
Gon Field Selected as Train Storage Area
Five different possible locations were initially considered for the new train storage facility. After detailed analyses and feasibility studies, the Gon site was determined to be the most suitable location among these five options. The site to be built is located southeast of the existing Rygge station and is surrounded by mainly agricultural land and the Gon Forest, known for its natural beauty. Various factors such as the suitability of the land, its logistical advantages and its environmental impact were carefully considered when making this selection.
Environmental Impact Reduction Studies
As part of the Rygge station expansion project, the station itself will be restructured and upgraded to include a total of three tracks, one of which will be reserved for train storage. The existing infrastructure around the station, namely the existing streets, bus stops and cycle paths, is planned to remain largely unchanged. However, significant measures will be taken to minimise potential environmental impacts during construction and operation. In particular, modern noise barriers will be built at strategic points to reduce noise pollution and minimise the visual impact of the project on the natural landscape, and greening works will be carried out with vegetation suitable for the area. These environmental regulations will ensure that the project is realised in accordance with the principles of sustainability.
