Sun curves are a phenomenon that occurs with large temperature changes.
During Friday morning, 21 degrees were measured in the area. High temperatures cause the metal in the rails to expand and expose the track to high compressive stresses.
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– We were aware of this risk in connection with the restoration work last winter and this is a consequence of the fact that we did it in a winter climate. Through the control program, we carry out track position measurements and joint measurements on a daily basis to keep an eye on the rails, says Simon Sunna, section manager for railways at the Swedish Transport Administration.
The Swedish Transport Administration is working hard to replace the affected parts. The track must be fully restored before traffic can be re-opened.
– We will work around the clock to get traffic on the route up and running. This involves, among other things, replacing the affected sections and filling up with macadam. At the moment, a traffic start at 16:00 on Tuesday feels reasonable.