Photo: Lars Westermark and Magnus Nygård from the FTIA, visiting a construction site.
The completed railway projects have helped increase the capacity of Finland’s rail network and laid the groundwork for more efficient and punctual rail services across Finland.
“2024 has proven to be a landmark year, especially from the perspective of Finland’s rail network, as we’ve been able to complete numerous railway projects. These projects have provided the rail network with important additional capacity, as well as more accessible and reliable train services for passengers,” says Division Director Magnus Nygård.
Improved service levels, more capacity, and new tracks
The Luumäki-Imatra railway project is one of the major long-term projects completed this year. The railway project, which has been underway since 2018, improved the line section’s service level by enhancing its capacity, reliability, and disruption management capabilities. A new double track was built between Joutseno and Imatra, and an existing track was renovated between Luumäki and Joutseno. The project also included significant bridge sites, such as the railway bridges on the Saimaa Canal and in Mansikkakoski, as well as 12 new bridges on the double track section.
Photo: A day at the construction site for the Luumäki–Imatra railway project.
The first phase of the Helsinki–Riihimäki railway project, the purpose of which is to improve the capacity of the main line, was also completed in December after nearly a decade in the making. The construction of the second phase of the three-phase project is already underway, and the work to streamline the traffic on Finland’s busiest line section is set to continue seamlessly. The first phase of the project, implemented between 2015 and 2024, focused on improving traffic operating points by renewing the railway yards in Riihimäki and Tikkurila and by building a freight track in Kerava and an additional track in western Järvenpää.
“2024 was a significant year for the Helsinki–Riihimäki railway project, as we were able to make major improvements to the turnouts, tracks, and platforms in Tikkurila’s railway yard. We carried out our work in dense, urban conditions and among busy train traffic, often throughout the night. Significant milestones have also been achieved in the second phase of the project, such as the introduction of a new eastern platform at Ainola station,” says Project Manager Riitta Parviainen.
Photo: Construction work at Kyrölä Bridge in October. Photo by Jussi Korhonen.
The newly completed Kouvola–Kotka/Hamina railway project also aimed to enhance the punctuality and capacity of its line section. The project helped improve the operating conditions for freight transport, for example by increasing the track’s axle load to 25 tonnes. In addition, the line section’s superstructure and bridges were renovated, its safety equipment was renewed, and separate development measures, such as the expansion of the Kotolahti railway yard, were also carried out.
Meanwhile, the Kontiomäki–Pesiökylä railway project increased the track’s transport capacity, speeded up rail transport, and ensured that the line section in Kainuu can handle timber transports, which are vital for Finland’s forest industry. The project involved the renovation of around 70 km of track, the construction of a new timber loading site in Pesiökylä, and improving the road connections to the loading sites.
Renewed railway yards and 283 km of electrified track
The four-year renovation project at Joensuu’s railway yard was completed at the beginning of June. The entire railway yard was thoroughly upgraded to meet today’s traffic requirements, replacing all obsolete safety equipment and signals as well as renewing every turnout. In addition, the railway yard’s track structures were renewed, its track geometry was altered, and its tracks were electrified. The station’s accessibility was also improved, for example by renewing lifts and raising platforms.
“The trains at the station will be able to stay better on schedule than before thanks to the transfer of the main track and the separation of passenger and freight traffic,” says Project Manager Jetro Matilainen.
The safety equipment at Oulu’s railway yard was also renewed between 2021 and 2024. The renewal of safety equipment is vital for increasing the safety of railway yards and ensuring the efficient flow of train traffic, and it will also enable the introduction of the ERTMS system in the future.
In total, approximately 283 km of track on the Finnish railway network was newly electrified this year. The electrification of the Ylivieska–Iisalmi line accounted for around 160 km of this figure, and the project also involved the construction of Iisalmi’s electrified triangle track. The project improved the cost-effectiveness of rail transport and the competitiveness of Finnish industry, and it also helped reduce the harmful emissions caused by transport.
Photo: Torne River Railway Bridge on the border between Finland and Sweden.
Electrification was also a key theme in the Laurila–Tornio–Haparanda railway project, where the line section from Laurila in Keminmaa was electrified across the border to Haparanda in Sweden. The project also expanded the Torne River Railway Bridge on the Finnish and Swedish border and the Raumonjoki Railway Bridge in Tornio, to allow for their electrification. In addition to these electrifying changes, the project improved the safety of level crossings by removing unguarded level crossings and building replacement road connections, as well as by updating the railway yard and passenger platform arrangements in Tornio. Necessary alterations were also carried out at Haparanda station, such as a new passenger platform and track alterations on the Finnish side.
“This project has laid the foundation for cross-border passenger transport, although it will require separate policies before it can become a reality, as the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency cannot make these types of operational decisions,” notes Division Director Nygård.
The accessibility of train travel in Pieksämäki improved considerably with the completion of the Pieksämäki station arrangements project in September. The project upgraded the condition and outfitting of passenger platforms by raising the station’s low-standing platforms to a higher level and by equipping them with the structures and markings required for accessibility. In addition, individual track and signalling changes were made and platform shelters were renewed.
Raw timber loading sites are essential for ensuring the functionality and efficiency of Finland’s raw timber supply chains and, consequently, promoting the operating conditions of Finnish businesses. In 2024, a new timber loading site was completed in Seinäjoki.
The only road project completed this year was the construction of the Suhanko mine road in Ranua. The project involved the development of a new road connection from Main Road 78 to the Suhanko mining area, serving the needs of both the planned Suhanko mine and local traffic.
“Suhanko mine road will be implemented using the post-financing model, where the mining company will initially pay for the construction costs in full. The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency will then pay the state’s share to the mining company after the mine has been opened,” explains Project Manager Keijo Heikkilä.
Projects completed in 2024
• Luumäki–Imatra railway project (EUR 210 million)
• Helsinki–Riihimäki railway project, phase I (EUR 163 million)
• Kouvola–Kotka/Hamina railway project (EUR 133.5 million)
• Kontiomäki–Pesiökylä railway project (EUR 102 million)
• Improvement of Joensuu railway yard, (EUR 83 million)
• Ylivieska–Iisalmi line section electrification and Iisalmi triangle track (EUR 66 million)
• Laurila–Tornio–Haparanda railway project (EUR 37 million)
• Renewal of safety equipment in Oulu railway yard (EUR 35 million)
• Seinäjoki timber loading site (EUR 13 million)
• Suhanko mine road, Ranua (EUR 7.4 million)
• Pieksämäki station arrangements (EUR 6.1 million)