Uppsala is planning a new tram system with two routes passing through the Ultuna campus. And after the summer of 2025, the first ground will be broken. However, before then, detailed planning decisions and agreements with Uppsala Municipality need to be finalised.
Throughout 2024, there will be intensive work on detailed plans for the sections affecting SLU. In parallel, negotiations have been ongoing for several years between SLU, Uppsala Municipality, and Akademiska Hus to ensure the tramway can be built and operated without jeopardising our activities.
One of the most critical issues concerns noise, vibrations, and electromagnetic fields that could interfere with sensitive instruments and animals. These are complex technical factors requiring extensive investigations and internal discussions. Uppsala Municipality has conducted baseline measurements of vibrations and noise along the planned tram route, and SLU has inventoried equipment, animals, and activities that could be affected, establishing acceptable levels for vibrations and electromagnetic fields accordingly.
“These foundations allow us to set requirements and assess the scale of potential disturbances during both the construction phase and the operational phase of the tramway. It’s also crucial to consider these levels as we plan our future operations and make decisions about new equipment,” says Anna Lidvall-Gräll, project manager at SLU Facilities, coordinating SLU’s work on the tramway.
On November 1, SLU submitted its comments in the detailed planning process for the two sections passing through Ultuna. In its comments, SLU highlights that there are still numerous uncertainties concerning potential negative impacts on our operations.
“We are lacking some studies with clarifying analyses and also note that the technical reports and investigations, which are to provide the basis for the required levels, are still not completed. Given the current shortcomings in the detailed plans, we cannot fully assess the proposal, and we therefore assume that the municipality will take our feedback into account and incorporate it into the plan,” says Martin Melkersson, chief operating officer, who, along with Anna Lidvall-Gräll, has signed SLU’s statements.
Starting in autumn 2025, a construction project will begin that will affect us in various ways: roads, footpaths, and cycle paths will be diverted, piling work will create noise, parking spaces will be reduced, and parts of the campus will not be accessible in the usual way for certain periods.
“It’s unavoidable that this will be challenging in such a large infrastructure project, but SLU is working hard to ensure that access to our facilities and the day-to-day campus environment function as well as possible for students, staff, and visitors alike. However, we need to prepare ourselves for a significant degree of patience over the next few years,” says Martin Melkersson.
By 2030, the tramway is expected to be operational, including a new bridge over Fyrisån, where the tramway will connect with the new train station, Uppsala södra, in Bergsbrunna.
“Once we have made it through these disruptive construction years, we see great potential in the new tramway. It will be simpler and faster to reach the campus from the south for both commuters and visitors. The new tramway will connect the city in a new way, making it easier to travel between SLU and Uppsala University, which will ultimately support even better and expanded collaboration,” says Martin Melkersson.
On the staff webb you can read more about how the tramway will impact SLU
Information about the tramway project and its effects on Uppsala can be found on the Uppsala Municipality website.(only in swedish)
www.uppsala.se/sparvag