A major railway project connecting Helsinki and Turku advanced on Friday. State and municipal authorities agreed to proceed with construction planning for the Western Rail Line. City and municipal councils will make final decisions this month and next.
Negotiations covered the first phase of the Western Rail Line project. Talks lasted for an extended period. Specific agreement details will become public next week.
The planned railway would run from Helsinki through Espoo, Veikkola, Vihti, Lohja, and Salo before reaching Turku. The route would serve residential areas currently without passenger train access. It would also enable planning of entirely new residential districts.
Finland's current coastal railway between Helsinki and Turku will remain in operation. This existing route runs closer to the sea in the country's southwestern corner.
Construction planning, building, and implementation are scheduled for 2026-2034. Actual construction work should begin in late 2027.
The total project cost is estimated at three billion euros. The first construction phase carries an estimated price tag of 1.32 billion euros.
Finland's state government committed to covering 400 million euros of the first phase. Municipal owners will contribute another 400 million euros collectively. The project company may later seek up to 520 million euros in external capital, guaranteed by the state.
Cost estimates contain uncertainties that the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency has noted.
The Western Rail Line could boost Finland's GDP by 5-6 billion euros over 30 years. Boston Consulting Group provided this assessment. Permanent benefits would include travel time savings and increased economic efficiency.
Gaia Consulting calculated the rail project would generate nearly 15,000 person-years of employment. This would produce tax revenues for municipalities and the state.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo considers the Western Rail Line an important project. His government partner, the Finns Party, opposes it. Orpo told local media he believes the negotiation solution means the entire project will proceed.
Some municipal councils might still reject the fresh agreement. Local reports indicate the Western Rail Line faces opposition in Kirkkonummi.
Transport and Communications Minister Lulu Ranne stated no additional state funding will come to the project. She emphasized the cost framework remains extremely tight.
The chair of the Transport and Communications Committee, opposition Centre Party MP Jouni Ovaska, called advancing the railway irresponsible in the current economic situation. He cited substantial risks of additional costs.
This massive infrastructure project represents both opportunity and financial risk for Finnish taxpayers. The political divide highlights how major transportation investments often face competing priorities.