The 150km line from Järna near Södertälje to Linkoping will form the initial phase of a Y-shaped network which will ultimately link the Stockholm region with Jönköping, Gothenburg, and Malmö. The 320km/h line is expected to reduce the Stockholm - Linkoping journey time from 1h 39min to around an hour and provide additional capacity for freight and regional passenger traffic on the Western Main Line.

The project will involve the construction of 27 tunnels totalling 25km, 126 bridges and 29 overpasses, and new stations at Linköping, Norrköping, Skavsta Airport, and Vagnhärad. Nyköping will also be rebuilt and modernised.

Trafikverket says it expects to hold briefings for prospective bidders later this month. Construction will be divided into 15 packages worth SKr 4-5bn ($US 470-580m) each with the aim of attracting participation from overseas companies with experience in the high-speed sector.

Preparatory works are expected to begin next year with major construction due to begin in 2019 or 2020. Commissioning is scheduled for 2028.