Rail Nordica advances as European-gauge track surveys begin near Sweden

The Rail Nordica project has entered its general planning phase, with ground surveys for a European-gauge railway beginning near the Swedish border, Yle reports. The current approved funding covers the planned rail line from Tornio to Kemi, according to the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.

The surveys will begin in September in the Rajakangas area of Keminmaa and between Tornio and the Swedish border. They will examine ground conditions for the railway foundations, including soil types and the depth of the bedrock, project manager Outi Leuhtonen said.

The new track is planned to run mainly alongside the existing Finnish-gauge railway. Alternative alignments are also being studied around the Kaakamo River and east of central Tornio.

Surveys may also be carried out on private properties. Property and landowners will be contacted by letter or through the Suomi.fi messaging service. Those affected may attend the surveys and have the right to express their views.

The ground investigations will involve drilling holes into the soil. The drilling equipment may cause occasional noise.

A general plan is an early statutory stage of railway planning. It examines the route, technical solutions and potential effects on people, nature, traffic and land use. Any decision on construction and its funding will be made separately.

The planning area includes rail connections from Haparanda to the Port of Kemi and Tornio’s Röyttä port, a transshipment site in the Tornio area and a railway connection across the Tornio River.

The European gauge currently extends to the Tornio railway yard, while the Finnish gauge reaches the Haparanda side. The two rail networks are connected by the existing railway bridge over the Tornio River, which can accommodate both gauges.

Transport and Communications Minister Lulu Ranne told Yle last week that planning for the European gauge would be expanded to Oulu and Rovaniemi. The current approved funding, however, covers the section from Tornio to Kemi.

Rail Nordica aims to strengthen Finland’s security of supply, support business transport and military mobility, and meet NATO’s needs.