Finland allocates €40 million for 4 km of double-track railway in Lappeenranta

The Finnish government will fund a €40 million double-track railway project between Lappeenranta and Lauritsala, covering just four kilometres of new track, according to a report by national broadcaster Yle. The high cost—€10 million per kilometre—is attributed to complex construction conditions, including bridge modifications and noise barrier installations.

The new track, part of the broader Karjalan Railway upgrades, aims to ease bottlenecks on the Kouvola–Joensuu route. Emmi Tourunen, head of traffic network planning at the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, explained that integrating the additional track into the existing urban environment drives up expenses.

“Building in an undeveloped area would be simpler and cheaper,” Tourunen noted, highlighting that the project requires adapting current underpasses—such as those at Tirilä and Oikotie—to accommodate the second track. Additional costs stem from electrical systems, safety infrastructure, and noise mitigation measures.

Construction is set to begin in roughly a year, following a detailed planning phase. The work, expected to span about three years, is part of a long-term effort to modernise the Luumäki–Joutseno section of the Karjalan Railway. Some preparatory bridge work in Lappeenranta will start as early as this summer.