Digirail is progressing with a new service alliance model

The Digirail project will renovate and modernise the Finnish train control system, which is one of the most critical security systems for society. A service alliance between the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and its six alliance partners is advancing the project in southern Finland. The alliance agreement’s value is approximately EUR 70 million.

In the project, the national rail network has been divided into 11 track sections, where the safety equipment will be renovated and modernised in stages during 2025–2040.

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency has concluded a service alliance agreement covering the planning, construction consultant and commissioning inspection services for the renewal of the train control system on the main line (sections 2, 3 and 4) extending to the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Southwest Finland and Seinäjoki. The implementation model is unique in Finland and Europe.

In addition to the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, the service alliance consists of Ramboll CM, Welado, Rejlers, Sweco, WSP, and Ramboll Finland.

“These areas form a unique entity with the most actively used railway lines in Finland. The starting point for the project was to assemble a team with a clear goal: ensure uninterrupted introduction of European rail traffic control in track sections 2, 3 and 4 by the summer of 2034. We wanted to harness the knowledge of top experts in Finland across business boundaries,” says Juha Lehtola, Project Manager at the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.

The alliance model is particularly suitable for projects that entail uncertainties and require broad-based expertise. In a project of this scale, ensuring access to expertise and knowledge far into the future is essential. “Having such a versatile team allows different areas of business to focus on a single goal without interfaces and conflicting interests. In the alliance, we succeed together – no party can win by acting alone. This principle is integrated into the implementation model,” says Lehtola.

The next step is the development phase, which will last until the end of 2026. After this, the annual service periods will continue until 2034. Equipment suppliers and construction contracts will be put out to tender separately.

The introduction of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) is an exceptionally extensive project in Finland and also on a European scale. “Our goal is very ambitious and the project requirements will be high. We will show the way for all of Europe.”

Enquiries:

Juha Lehtola, Project Manager, tel. +358 29 534 3892
Esa Sirkiä, Department Director, tel. +358 29 534 3344

The Digirail project will lead Finland towards safer, more efficient and smoother rail traffic. The project will renew the obsolete train control system and introduce the common radio-based European Train Control System (ETCS) throughout the railway network. Digirail will enable safe traffic and an improved service level and increase infrastructure capacity. It will create a solid technological development base for Finnish rail traffic in the long term. The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, Fintraffic and the Ministry of Transport and Communications will implement the project in cooperation with other stakeholders.