In an ambitious engineering endeavor, the iconic early 20th century Kiruna Church must be relocated approximately 5 kilometers to avoid potential structural damage from mining ground deformations affecting the town. The relocation of the 1,600 square meter, 600-ton church and its bell tower is slated to occur over an extraordinarily tight 48-hour window in August 2025.
Norwegian contractor Veidekke has been contracted by mining company LKAB to undertake the complex church move to Kiruna’s new town center area. Extensive preparations are required, including widening roads along the entire 5km relocation route, demolishing a viaduct and three pedestrian/cycle underpasses, and comprehensive groundworks at the new site to re-establish the church.
“Entering execution on relocating this iconic church is immensely satisfying,” stated Stefan Holmblad, LKAB’s project manager. “Veidekke’s expertise will be critical.”
Precision Engineering Challenge
For Veidekke, the brief to physically move Kiruna’s culturally-significant 1912 church building presents an unparalleled construction challenge requiring surgical precision. “Relocating this heritage structure is an honor and responsibility,” said Mathias Rönnholm, Veidekke’s Regional Manager for Northern Sweden. “We aim to uphold the highest professional standards.”
Peter Johansson, Veidekke’s Site Manager, affirmed, “Dedicated planning has prepared us to tackle this daunting engineering task with pinpoint accuracy over the relocation window.”
Mining Activity Necessitates Move
The operation stems from the need to relocate sections of Kiruna town due to ground fissures and deformations caused by decades of iron ore mining activity. While the town’s municipal buildings have already been demolished and rebuilt, preserving the iconic turn-of-the-century church deemed Sweden’s most beautiful in 2001 requires the complex relocation.
If executed successfully, the audacious move will be an extraordinary structural engineering accomplishment – transporting a 600-ton heritage building 5 kilometers across a remote mining region in just 48 hours.
The translation was written by an AI system, though the original text was authored by a human. Read the original article here
Myrna Whitaker 
Nils Lund 
Anna Broberg 
