Image courtesy of White Architects
WSP provides several services
WSP is providing civil and structural engineering as well as heating and ventilation design for this stunning building designed by White architects. The station will provide a regional hub and transport interchange as well as connecting the central city area to Umeå’s renowned university.
The establishment of the University of Umeå in the mid 1960s is responsible for the rapid growth of the city from around 50,000 inhabitants to nearly 111,000 today, making Umeå one of Sweden’s fastest growing cities. Attracted by the educated and skilled population, companies of the calibre of Siemens, Volvo, and Astra Zeneca have flocked to the region. While this important northern hub of Sweden is well served by road and air transport, the rail infrastructure has left a lot to be desired.
Double rail capacity in northern Sweden
The new Bothnia line will double rail capacity in northern Sweden and halve rail travelling time between Umeå and Stockholm – at the moment the 600 km journey takes ten hours. It will also provide a vital link for the towns and industries that have developed along Sweden’s northern coastline.
So travel between the north of Sweden and Stockholm and the rest of the world will be transformed by the new railway line; and the new station will provide an attractive, welcoming environment for passengers and a fitting gateway if this city succeeds in its bid to become the European Capital of Culture in 2014.
Contact: Eric Järvholm, WSP Sweden, eric.jarvholm@wspgroup.se