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Double-Track Rail Expansion Transforms Oslo's Lørenskog Into Commuter Hub
A double-track addition on the Hovedbanen will shorten commutes and trigger housing construction east of the capital.
How we reported this
Oslo municipality and Bane NOR approved funding this week for a double-track rail upgrade on the Hovedbanen between Oslo Sentralstasjon and Lillestrøm, a project set to turn Lørenskog into a primary commuter suburb by 2031.
The decision follows years of pressure on housing supply inside the city ring road, where new builds have lagged behind population gains recorded by Statistics Norway. Lørenskog sits 12 kilometres east of the capital and already hosts several thousand daily rail users, yet planners expect the faster service to pull in buyers priced out of Grünerløkka and Sagene.
Local Connections and Named Projects
The new tracks will feed into the existing interchange at Grorud station, where Ruter AS runs feeder buses to Tøyen and the university campus. A parallel cycle path funded under the Oslo kommune cycle strategy will link directly to the Aker River trail, giving residents a continuous 25-minute ride into the city centre. Local estate agents already report enquiries from families eyeing plots near the Lørenskog sentrum redevelopment zone, which includes a new library and primary school scheduled for 2029.
Property data from Eiendom Norge shows the median apartment price in Lørenskog reached 4.9 million kroner in the second quarter of 2026, roughly 35 percent below the Oslo average. The rail project carries a 3.8 billion kroner price tag, with construction slated to begin in spring 2027 and the first extra trains running by late 2030. Travel time from Lørenskog to Oslo Sentralstasjon will drop from 22 minutes to 14 minutes during peak hours.
Next Steps for Buyers and Renters
Prospective residents should monitor the Lørenskog kommune planning portal for the next round of zoning approvals, expected in October. Those already on the housing waiting list through Husbanken can request priority status for units tied to the transport corridor. Updated timetables will appear on the Ruter app six months before service changes take effect.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.