Prime Minister Orpo outlines plans for limited West Rail Line construction in Finland

In an interview with Yle, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo emphasized that the current government plans to construct only the two ends of the West Rail Line during its term. He underscored that the express rail connection from Salo to Lohja will be a matter for future administrations.

“Our government is not undertaking the entire connection and spending billions. We will implement the Espoo–Lohja double track and a short section at the Turku end. The entire connection, which involves the costly express rail, is a matter for future governments,” Orpo stated.

The West Rail project has faced criticism this summer, particularly after it missed out on EU funding in the latest round of the CEF financing mechanism. Pekka Ottavainen, CEO of the West Rail project company, highlighted immediately after the funding decision that they would seek financing again in the future as the planning progresses.

“In a year or two, the new EU Commission’s funding will be available for applications, and there’s nothing stopping us from being involved. I believe the chances of securing support will be even better then,” Ottavainen told Yle in July.

Orpo noted that the government program promotes various infrastructure projects across the country. “We are allocating 400 million euros from the budget for the West Rail project. An additional 500-600 million euros will be directed toward the development of the main line and hundreds of millions towards eastern connections, such as the repairs of Highway 5,” he added.

Following the summer break, discussions will take place between the cities along the rail line and the government regarding the municipalities’ contributions to the funding.