Sofia metro station

Not to be confused with Sofia Metro.
Sofia
Future Stockholm metro station
Sofia station construction site in Stigbergsparken
General information
LocationStigbergsparken, Folkungagatan, Södermalm, Stockholm
Coordinates59°19′01.2″N 18°05′13.2″E / 59.317000°N 18.087000°E / 59.317000; 18.087000
Owned byStorstockholms Lokaltrafik
Platforms1 island platform
Tracks2
Construction
Structure typeUnderground
Depthca. 100m
AccessibleYes
History
Opening2030; 6 years' time (2030)
Services
Preceding station: Kungsträdgården
Proceeding stations:
Hammarby kanal (Towards Nacka)
Gullmarsplan (Towards Hagsätra)

Sofia is a future station on the Blue Line of the Stockholm metro. The station is part of the southern extension of the Blue Line, linking Kungsträdgården with Nacka and Hagsätra. Sofia station will be located in Stigbergsparken, on Folkungagatan in Södermalm, and will be one of the deepest metro stations in the world, situated approximately 100 meters below ground.[1]

Design and construction

The station will feature a single underground island platform, accessible solely by eight high-speed lifts. These lifts will transport passengers between the platform and the only entrance, in Stigbergsparken, in approximately 30 seconds.[2] Unlike most Stockholm metro stations, Sofia will not have escalators or stairs due to its depth.[3]

The station entrance under construction in 2024

Construction of Sofia station began in August 2021,[4] as part of the extension of the Blue Line towards Nacka and Hagsätra. Extensive tunneling and rock blasting works have been ongoing beneath Södermalm to make space for the station and related tunnels. By mid-2024, workers had reached depths of about 30 meters for the lift shafts, with further blasting required to reach the full depth of 100 meters.[5]

The station is expected to open for service in 2030, following almost 10 years of construction.[6]

One of the key features of Sofia station is its high-speed lifts, due to the depth of the underground platform. The lifts will travel at speeds of up to 4 meters per second, reducing travel time compared to traditional escalators. The lifts will have glass doors to provide visibility. To ensure safety, the design also includes provisions for fire safety and emergency evacuations, with redundant lift systems and additional ventilation in case of emergencies.[7]

Surrounding area

Sofia station’s entrance will be located in Stigbergsparken, a green space on Folkungagatan, in the eastern part of Södermalm. This area is a popular residential and cultural district of Stockholm, and the new station is expected to improve accessibility to Södermalm without the need to pass through Slussen, from other parts of the city, as well as to Nacka and Hagsätra.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Tunnelbanestationen Sofia tar form – 100 meter under jord". SVT (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  2. ^ "Så kommer tunnelbanans djupaste station Sofia att bli". www.jarnvagsnyheter.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  3. ^ "SE BILDERNA: Station Sofia växer fram 100 meter under jorden". Mitt i (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  4. ^ "Sofia". implenia.com (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  5. ^ "Tunnelbanestationen Sofia tar form – 100 meter under jord". SVT (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  6. ^ Nyheter, S. V. T. (2024-03-08). "Tunnelbanestationen Sofia tar form – 100 meter under jord". SVT Nyheter (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  7. ^ "Stationer med snabbhissar". Nya tunnelbanan (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  8. ^ "Blå linje till Södermalm & Hammarby Sjöstad". Nya tunnelbanan (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-09-30.