Finland has chosen the preferred route for its ambitious Eastern Rail Line project connecting the capital region to Kouvola. The selected alignment will advance to the next planning phase after extensive environmental and community assessments.
The route begins at the planned Lentoranta connection and travels through Sipoo's Backas and Björkdal areas before reaching Kouvola's Teuroinen and Koria districts. The total length measures approximately 118 kilometers, with 110 kilometers consisting of completely new railway construction.
Project company Itärata Oy selected this specific alignment because it causes the least environmental harm while delivering maximum benefits. The route runs almost entirely underground through Sipoo municipality, minimizing surface disruption. Nineteen kilometers of the total track will pass through tunnels, requiring 53 bridges along the alignment.
Petteri Portaankorva, CEO of the Eastern Rail project, emphasized the comprehensive evaluation process. "We have conducted numerous studies and maintained active dialogue with residents, landowners, and other stakeholders in the planning area," he said in a statement. "We received hundreds of comments and feedback points. Our selection rests on an extremely broad information base."
The project represents one of Finland's largest current infrastructure investments, reflecting the government's commitment to enhancing regional connectivity. Eastern Finland has long sought improved rail connections to the capital region, with current services often requiring circuitous routes or transfers.
Environmental impact assessment procedures played a crucial role in the route selection. The chosen alignment scored highest in the environmental impact assessment process, balancing construction efficiency with ecological considerations. The board of Itärata Oy made the final decision on the route selection, presenting it to the project company's shareholder meeting.
Cost estimates for the massive infrastructure project will complete in March. That timeline also marks the beginning of the project's next phase: general planning. In January, the environmental impact assessment report will enter a 60-day public review period, during which authorities will present it at public events across affected municipalities.
Local officials in Porvoo still require additional clarifications before determining the final alignment through their municipality and the location of the underground station. The section from Porvoo to Kouvola will pass south of Lapinjärvi.
This rail development aligns with broader Nordic infrastructure trends, where countries are investing heavily in sustainable transportation networks. Finland's approach demonstrates careful balancing of environmental protection with transportation needs, though the substantial tunneling requirements suggest significant construction challenges ahead.
The project's progression signals Finland's continued investment in rail infrastructure despite economic uncertainties. The Eastern Rail Line could substantially reduce travel times between eastern regions and Helsinki, potentially stimulating economic development in areas beyond the capital region.