Finnish government allocates largest funding to Turku region for land use and transportation initiatives

The Finnish government has allocated the largest funding in the country to the Turku region for land use, housing, and transportation initiatives. The total state funding for MAL agreement projects in the area amounts to €331 million. MAL agreements are partnerships between the government and major urban regions, defining which transportation projects the state will finance.

The agreements for the Turku region include the continuation of light rail planning, a public transportation corridor, public transport decking at Kupittaan, a port rail connection, the E18 ring road in Raisio, Mt 180 Kurkela-Kuusisto, and state funding for public transport, specifically for the Föli service.

From 2024 to 2027, a total of €572 million in state MAL funding is set to support sustainable growth and development across the seven largest urban areas in Finland. The Helsinki metropolitan area received the second-largest funding allocation of €327 million for its MAL projects, while the Lahti region received €108 million, marking the third-highest funding.

Raisio, located near Turku, emerged as the biggest beneficiary in this agreement cycle, as it secured state funding for the downtown tunnel project. The government will contribute approximately €150 million to the project, which involves the E18 highway transitioning underground. The city of Raisio is scheduled to decide on the acceptance of the MAL agreement on Monday. Each municipal council must approve the MAL agreement individually.