Response to interpellation 2025/26:418 on national road 62
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
KD argues that the government is working towards a sustainable transport system and that Trafikverket is taking measures on national road 62 1. KD emphasizes that the government has significantly increased funds for road maintenance 1. KD prefers that existing laws are applied more efficiently 2 3 and welcomes that the county administrative board is reviewing conservation plans 2 3. KD considers the concern to be justified due to the risk of landslides 4 and that it is reasonable that Trafikverket can prevent the landslide by repairing the road 4. S argues that national road 62 is a lifeline for Värmland and that people need information rather than more investigations 5. S believes that Sweden must be able to protect both natural values and socially important infrastructure 5 and that Natura 2000 may have had too large effects 6. S argues that it is good to have preparedness for future decisions 6 and that government representatives must deliver because it concerns people's everyday lives 6.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! Mikael Dahlqvist has asked me what immediate measures I intend to take to ensure traffic safety on national road 62 given the acute risk of landslides.
Mikael Dahlqvist has also asked me how I intend to ensure that socially important infrastructure can be protected even in areas with strong nature conservation, such as Natura 2000, when people's safety and regional development are at stake, and if I am prepared to take the initiative for changes in legislation or application to avoid similar situations arising in the future.
Mikael Dahlqvist has also asked me what dialogue I intend to have with the municipalities concerned, such as Torsby and Hagfors, in order to quickly find a viable solution.
The Government's starting point is a well-functioning, long-term sustainable and reliable transport system, where all modes of transport are developed and contribute to the transport policy goals. It is a prerequisite for all of Sweden to function and for facilitating people's everyday lives.
It is Trafikverket that has the operational responsibility for taking traffic safety measures on the state road network. I know that Trafikverket takes a number of measures in the maintenance of road 62. Control programs with movement measurement in road embankments have been expanded, and upon indications, Trafikverket's personnel travel to the site for decisions on closing the road or some form of traffic restriction. Also, reinforcement of road overpasses with so-called geogrids has been carried out in some places.
I also know that Trafikverket is now working on reviewing various long-term alternatives for riksväg 62, such as new applications for permits and traffic regulation measures. Trafikverket has an ongoing dialogue on the matter with the County Administrative Board.
I have been informed that the county administrative boards are now reviewing the conservation plans which to a large extent govern what possibilities Trafikverket has to take measures. It is important to resolve the situation that has arisen.
The Government works to ensure that different societal interests can be weighed against each other in a balanced way and works for effective legislation where prolonged or unpredictable permit processes are limited. The Government is now implementing, for example, proposals from the Environmental Permit Inquiry.
Following the government's proposal in the infrastructure bill The Road to a Reliable Transport Infrastructure – so that all of Sweden can function, the investments in road maintenance have increased significantly. The funds for road maintenance amount to 354 billion kronor during the planning period 2026–2037. This is an increase of 116 billion kronor, or 48 percent, compared to the previous plan. With the proposed investments, all deferred maintenance on the roadside can be caught up during the planning period.
Overall, the government is working on several fronts to ensure that necessary security measures on our roads can be implemented faster and more efficiently while important natural values are protected. This work is long-term, but it will have an effect on the entire state road network of Sweden.
Mikael Dahlqvist (S)
Madam Speaker! I thank the Minister very much for the answer, but I must nevertheless say that I had hoped for a somewhat clearer statement.
This is an extremely difficult issue that puts two pieces of legislation to the test. Riksväg 62 is an artery through Värmland. It connects the county and follows the Klarälven. Every day it is used for transport and by companies, commuters, school transport, medical transport and, above all, the tourism industry.
It is, in fact, one of the most important tourist routes in Värmland. The road leads to Branäs, which is a very large alpine resort with around 12,000 beds. It then continues across the border towards Norwegian Trysil, which is Scandinavia's largest alpine destination. During the winter season, large numbers of Swedes and foreign visitors travel along this road.
For the tourism industry and the business community on both sides of the border, a functioning national road 62 is absolutely crucial. When such a road is threatened by the risk of landslides, it is not just about asphalt and earth masses. It is about people's safety, security, and the possibility to live, reside, and run businesses, especially in northern Värmland.
Madam Speaker! For several years, Trafikverket has been forced to monitor ground movements, reinforce the road body, and be prepared to close the road if the situation were to worsen. It is a serious situation. I know that Trafikverket is working hard, and I want to extend a big thank you to their employees. But it is not enough to refer to Trafikverket when the problems are partly about regulations, permits, and laws for which the state itself is responsible.
The Minister writes that the county administrative boards are reviewing the preservation plans and that the government is working to streamline the permit process. Good! But people in northern Värmland do not need more investigations. They need decisions. If national road 62 were to be closed, the consequences would be very large. The detours are long and perhaps not even an alternative. The costs are high and the accessibility for ambulances, emergency services, business, and the tourism industry would be seriously damaged.
Madam Speaker! I mean that Sweden must be able to protect both natural values and socially important infrastructure. We shall safeguard Natura 2000, but we cannot end up in a situation where people risk their safety because authorities lack the possibility to act.
We also cannot accept that the uncertainty surrounding one of northern Värmland's most important roads hinders people's opportunities to live, reside, and invest in the region. Therefore, I want to ask the minister again: If it turns out that today's regulatory framework prevents necessary safety measures on riksväg 62, is the government prepared to change the regulatory framework? When can the residents of Värmland, especially in the northern part, expect a decision on a long-term solution?
Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! I would like to begin by saying that in all essential respects I agree with what Mikael Dahlqvist presented in the chamber. This is an urgent issue, which in no way is new. This has been known for ten years. Trafikverket has warned that this needs to be addressed, but as a result of both EU legislation, interpretation of EU legislation, and legal processes, it has become an all too protracted process. This is not sufficient. This needs to be better.
To the question asked as to whether the government is prepared to change the regulatory framework if it should be needed, I answer that the government is always prepared to change regulatory frameworks and laws. But above all, existing laws need to be interpreted and applied in a way that makes this as good as possible. Therefore, I am pleased that the county administrative boards, just as I said, are now reviewing their conservation plans.
Madam Speaker! It is not true that I am only pointing at Trafikverket. I am also pointing to the fact that the County Administrative Boards are looking at the relevant conservation plan for the Natura 2000 area Klarälven, upper part. Trafikverket has a dialogue with the County Administrative Board in Värmland. I have personally spoken with both the County Governor and, of course, the Director General of Trafikverket regarding this issue. The Director General of Trafikverket and the County Governor in Värmland also had a meeting in May where they discussed how they can work together expeditiously with erosion protection along road 62.
The fastest and most efficient way would be if the responsible authorities are given the opportunity to take responsibility as soon as possible. We must, of course, follow that. If that should not be sufficient, the government is of course prepared to review the regulatory framework. The government works for effective legislation and for prolonged or unpredictable permit processes to be limited. That is why we are now, to a large extent, implementing the proposals of the Environmental Permit Investigation. This is an important issue.
Of course, it is better to repair the road before it collapses. Today, one could describe the situation such that Trafikverket has full authority to rebuild the road if it were to collapse, but not to carry out the preventive measures needed to ensure the road does not collapse. I hope that this can be resolved now that Länsstyrelsen and Trafikverket have a dialogue in the matter. I cannot answer today as to when they can reach a solution, but I expect them to do everything they can so that this situation reaches a solution.
Before we have a situation with ministerial rule in Sweden, I cannot go any further than that today. It is nevertheless to be very clear in the current issue to say that this needs to happen in a more efficient way. This has been a protracted process that has been ongoing for ten years and I understand that it creates a frustration among many who live or travel along this road. My great hope is that we are now getting closer to a decision that will allow the road to be secured.
Mikael Dahlqvist (S)
Madam Speaker! I thank the Minister very much for the answer. It pleases me nonetheless that the Minister is well-informed on the issue and seems eager for it to receive a solution. It is an extreme situation.
The problem is exactly what the minister points out. We have struggled with this issue for over ten years. I myself live, live, and work in a part of Värmland affected by riksväg 62, and it is not only this current section we are talking about. There are more sections along Klarälven, because the road winds along the river.
This has had consequences that I do not believe any party could have foreseen. With the benefit of hindsight, perhaps we should be a bit more cautious about designating Natura 2000 areas in the country and investigate the consequences first.
What is somewhat paradoxical is that not too many years ago, this route was a timber floating route. An enormous reconstruction was carried out when bays were closed off with timber or stones were placed at the edge to float logs from northern Värmland to the paper mills in Grums and Hammarö. The people who live up there, especially those who have lived and fished there for many years, say that there was a much richer fauna in Klarälven while the timber transports were ongoing. That is something one can reflect upon.
I still want to emphasize that this is a very difficult and important issue, and it is urgent. Expert authorities and experts say that the road is losing its load-bearing capacity. Right now, it is at a standstill. It is commendable that the County Administrative Board has, five out of twelve, opened their eyes to the problem and is talking with Trafikverket. I think it should have happened ten years ago. According to their assessment, it could take two or three years at best before measures can be taken.
If one speaks with experts, they say that there is a great risk that the road will be closed before then. Then we stand there, regardless of government, in the autumn or next year and must solve an acute problem. Unfortunately, it is not simple to reroute the road either, Madam Speaker, because the road runs mostly in a valley with steep mountains. It is a complicated geographical situation.
I want to clarify that I hope and believe that the government and the minister responsible for the issue are truly trying to do everything they can to speed up the process.
Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! I can only acknowledge that this is what we are doing now. I also welcome Mikael Dahlqvist's contribution to the debate: Before implementing various measures, it is reasonable to think them through and conduct a careful impact assessment. A self-critical contribution would be to say that perhaps it would have been better if this had been in place ten years ago. I am the first to agree with that. Now we stand where we stand, and then it is important that everyone takes their responsibility and ensures that we can reach a solution to this as soon as possible.
The County Administrative Board is now reviewing the current conservation plan, as stated. Why is it important? Mikael Dahlqvist knows this, but I can inform those following the debate that the conservation plans govern many of the possibilities. They must also, if necessary, be developed and clarified regarding which conditions and measures are needed to achieve the conservation goals: Is it reasonable? Are there other ways to do it?
The conservation plan describes the area's conservation purpose and conservation objectives for the nature type and species to be preserved. The conservation plans also govern what Trafikverket can do and constitute an important basis during a permit review.
Therefore, the announcement given by the County Administrative Board, that the conservation plan is now being reviewed, is an important basis for potentially enabling the Swedish Transport Administration to take the measures that it has stood ready to take for over ten years.
I am the first to emphasize that it is important that this now happens with high priority and with urgency. There are many transports that go along this road, as Mikael Dahlqvist has pointed out, both school buses and other transports. With the risk of landslide that exists, it is completely reasonable that one can ensure that the road does not collapse.
Trafikverket has also already implemented measures here, as I mentioned in my opening response, Madam Speaker. But a management was needed that leads to a solution to the situation, and it is my expectation that it will happen if the responsible parties now take their responsibility.
If it were needed, the government is prepared to review the regulatory framework, but the fastest and most effective way is if, within existing legislation and existing regulations, one can apply laws and rules in a way that allows the situation to be resolved.
Mikael Dahlqvist (S)
Madam Speaker! I want to conclude by reminding why I submitted this interpellation. It is about people's safety, about the future, about the belief in living in rural areas, and about the state's responsibility for socially important infrastructure.
I appreciate that the Minister says they are following the issue closely. I also appreciate the Minister's commitment. But I also want to say that more action is needed. The risk is obvious, Madam Speaker, that we are facing a collapse at any minute, and then we will be in a difficult situation.
We must be able to combine nature conservation with secure infrastructure in the future. The Minister and I are in complete agreement on this. I am also very humble and self-critical and note that we make many good decisions with good intentions, but sometimes perhaps do not see what effects they have. I assert that Natura 2000 may have had too large effects for it to be reasonable.
I also want to say, Madam Speaker, for the sake of clarification, that this is a very big issue in Värmland. It has seen many media outbursts. Groups have been formed and letters to the editor have been written. As a resident there, I receive many calls, emails, and so on. There is a great deal of concern and a strong commitment to the issue.
Unfortunately, there is also a risk that this might not be the only path affected by such decisions in the future. I believe, therefore, that it is good to be prepared for what happens ahead.
This is about the everyday lives of many people. Then we, as state representatives, must also deliver.
Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! I am very familiar with the commitment and the concern that exists. It is justified against the background of the risk of race that prevails. My very clear expectation is that all parties now take their responsibility to be able to reach a solution on this as soon as possible.
I have myself encountered the commitment from the Kristdemokraterna member Kjell-Arne Ottosson, who has highlighted this. Even when I myself have been on various visits in Värmland, this road has often come up in conversation. It is natural against the background that it has been such a protracted process.
Now I hope that we are approaching a conclusion. That is what I hope the residents along this road in Värmland can expect.
I also appreciate Mikael Dahlqvist's stance in this debate. I want to repeat what I have said earlier: If the legislation allows Trafikverket to step in and repair a road that has collapsed, it is also reasonable that they should be able to prevent the collapse.
A situation that is manageable must now be achieved, and I expect the parties involved to have a solution-oriented approach. The order in Sweden is, however, such that we do not have ministerial rule. It is responsible authorities that work on the issue. Should a review of existing legislation be needed, the government is always prepared to look at it and also carry it out. My expectation and hope now, however, is that this can occur more promptly than that.
Thank you very much for this debate!
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.