Kolsås Line

Infobox rail line
name = Kolsås Line
nativename = Kolsåsbanen

---

caption = Bekkestua is one of the stations on Kolsåsbanen
type = Rapid transit
system = Oslo T-bane
start = Majorstuen
end = Kolsås
status = Closed for renovation
stations = 21
open = 1930
close =
owner = Kollektivtransportproduksjon
operator = Oslo T-banedrift
character =
stock = T1300
linelength = 14.6 km
tracklength =
notrack = Double
gauge = RailGauge|sg
el = 750 V DC (overhead)
speed = 70 km/h
elevation = 94.6 m|

The Kolsås Line ( _no. Kolsåsbanen) is a rapid transit line on the Oslo T-bane network which runs between the city center of Oslo and Kolsås in Bærum, Norway. With 18 km, it is the longest lines of the entire network; and a long stretch of the line is located in Bærum. From August 20 2006 the line connects with the Ring Line and has line number 6 (the trains continue through the loop and leave on the east side on the Lambertseter Line changing to number 4 during the journey). At present most of the line is closed for upgrading. However, the stretch between Jar and Bekkestua is temporarily served by the Oslo Tramway line 13 [ [http://www.budstikka.no/sec_nyheter/article138376.ece Endelig trikk] ("Finally trams") Budstikka.no, August 20, 2007] .

Originally, Kolsåsbanen was built as an extension of the tram line Lilleaker Line. It was completed to Kolsås in 1930. In 1942 the stretch between Sørbyhaugen (now a closed station on the Røa Line) and Jar was completed, and Kolsåsbanen became part of the network operated by A/S Holmenkolbanen. Jar station is now a rare instance of a tram line sharing track with a rapid transit line.

On July 1, 2003 budgetary disagreements between local politicians in Oslo, Bærum and Akershus led to the closure of the Bekkestua to Kolsås leg. It was temporarily reopened November 22, 2004 but the future status is unclear. Possible options have been upgrading the line to metro standard as was done with the Sognsvann Line and the Røa Line, or cutting the line to Jar, and have the tram run the stretch between Jar and Kolsås.

Early 2006, Akershus County Council gave the green light for a NOK 750 million upgrade of the line. The detailed plans are still to be finalized but the intention is to upgrade the line to full "metro standard" all the way to Kolsås with a six-car train service in operation. Additionally, a light rail service will share the tracks between Jar and Bekkestua. The intention is to create a transport hub at Bekkestua enabling interchange with local bus services.

Most of the line was closed down on July 1 2006 due to upgrades, which were completed to Åsjordet by August 2008. While the line was closed, there was only one operational station unique to Kolsåsbanen, Husebybakken, which temporarily replaced Montebello [http://www.tbane.no/artikkel2.asp?id=398706] .

Up to 2006, the line was operated with overhead wire from Montebello outwards, with fairly short platforms only accommodating three-car trains. The line has a few level crossings.

ee also

*List of stations on Kolsåsbanen

References