Veidekke to move Kiruna church

Veidekke has signed an agreement with the Swedish mining company LKAB for the next stage in the relocation of Kiruna Church as part of the city's social transformation where mining has forced a relocation of Kiruna's center.

The project is a turnkey contract in collaboration that is now entering the implementation phase. The move will take place in August 2025.

Veidekke's assignment includes, in addition to the relocation of the church with bell tower, the construction of a relocation road with a widening along the entire stretch of road.

The project also includes ground and infrastructure works with a major backfill within the new site and foundation works for the church at the new location. After the move itself, the church and bell tower will have to be set up on the new site and the relocation route and the old site restored.

“Being entrusted with the relocation of Kiruna Church is a great honor. Personally, I feel a deep pride in being part of this historic project and look forward to seeing the church in its new location, where it can continue to be an important part of Kiruna's cultural heritage,” says Mathias Rönnholm, Regional Manager of Veidekke Anläggning Nord.

Kiruna Church has a great cultural-historical value and has been named Sweden's most beautiful building. It has a surface area of 1600 square meters and weighs approximately 600 tons. The church was built in 1912 and is an ecclesiastical cultural monument, which means that there are special laws, rules and requirements to be observed during the move.

Lennart Håkansson

editor@northswedenbusiness.com