Environmentally hazardous soil has been handled incorrectly during the construction of the Norrbothnia Railway, TV4 Nyheterna can reveal.
It involves large amounts of sulphurous soil which, in contact with the air, can cause major damage to watercourses, plants and wildlife.
Umeå municipality criticizes the Swedish Transport Administration, which admits that they broke the rules.
It is called sulphide soil and contains high levels of sulphur, which in contact with oxygen can acidify nature and harm animal and plant life. Therefore, there are special recommendations when soil masses are dug up and piled up. Among other things, it must be reported to the municipality so that an environmental inspection can be carried out.
But during the construction of the Norrbotnia Railway in Västerbotten, the recommendations have not been followed, TV4Nyheterna can now reveal. And the municipality is critical.
– Yes, because they haven’t told us about it and we are the ones overseeing the Swedish Transport Administration, says Sabine Olsson, environmental inspector at Umeå municipality.
Can cause major damage
Sulphide soil can cause acidification and major damage to plant and animal life. According to TV4’s information, the masses began to be put up in February 2022, but it took until December 15 before the municipality was informed of the handling via an anonymous source. Something that leads to the investigations of the environment will take over a year after the masses were laid up.
– When we found out about this, there was snow on the ground and it is still there, says Sabine Olsson.
The Swedish Transport Administration, which is responsible for the handling, admits that they violated their recommendations and believes that it is a mistake.
– There can never be too much communication, but we have handled the case and submitted an action plan, so I still think we have done what we are required to do, says Richard Österbacka, head of unit at Norrbotniabanan.
Moving the masses
The Swedish Transport Administration will move the environmentally hazardous masses to a landfill during the summer at a cost of up to SEK 50 million.
– We want to wait until it is dry because then the soil will be easier to handle, says Richard Österbacka
From a political point of view, harsh criticism is directed at the Swedish Transport Administration’s handling of the sulphide soil.
– The Swedish Transport Administration should set a good example and that they have not contacted the municipality and told them whether the sulphide soil is too bad, says Nils Larsen (MP), who is chairman of Umeå municipality’s sustainability committee.