Aerial surveys for planned eastern railway may begin this weekend

Aerial photography for the proposed Itärata railway project could start as early as this weekend, with a low-flying aircraft surveying the route between Vantaa and Kouvola, public broadcaster Yle reports.

The surveys will cover roughly 100 kilometres between Vantaa and Koria in Kouvola using a small twin-engine plane. Weather and cloud cover may delay operations on certain days, according to project planners.

The aircraft will fly at an altitude of about 600 metres, potentially drawing attention as it circles and revisits the same areas multiple times. Flights are expected to continue until early May, after which ground surveys using drilling rigs will begin.

“The images will create a digital terrain model showing landforms, buildings, forests, and fields,” said Minna Weurlander, planning director at Itärata Oy. The data will assist in designing tunnels and other infrastructure.

Field studies will continue throughout the general planning phase until 2028. Around 3,500 landowners along the proposed route will be contacted this spring to coordinate access for surveys. Notifications will be based on the National Land Survey’s registry, with efforts also made to reach tenant farmers. Property owners who do not receive contact can submit their details via Itärata’s website.

The Itärata project aims to build a new rail line from Helsinki to Kouvola via Porvoo, reducing travel times to Kuopio and Joensuu as well.