The summer will see extensive track work to improve traffic flow and the railway network

Track work carried out by the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency will cause temporary traffic arrangements in long-distance, commuter and freight traffic during the summer.

Reasons for changes in train traffic include railway network development projects, superstructure repairs, repairs and construction of railway bridges, as well as replacements of safety equipment.

Major works affecting the usability of the railway network include, for example, track work on the Espoo City Rail Link and the Helsinki–Riihimäki section, the renovation of the Jyväskylä-Pieksämäki section, the tunnel work on the Kouvola–Mikkeli section, the renovation of the Kouvola–Luumäki northern track, as well as the renovation of the Oulu–Laurila track.

The estimated total amount to be spent on railway development and renovation projects in 2025 is approximately EUR 430 million.

“The amount and funding level of track work is slightly lower than in the previous year. Large development projects will be implemented with approximately EUR 230 million, and approximately EUR 200 million will be allocated to track renovations and smaller improvements,” says Head of Department Jussi Lindberg from the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.

The VR online service provides more information on train timetables and replacement services. Information on commuter services timetables in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area can be found on the HSL website.

The sites and disruptions listed below have an impact on passenger and freight traffic. Some of the disruptions occur at night time and thus have the greatest impact on freight traffic. Changes to plans are possible. 

Southern Finland
•The Espoo City Rail Link project, i.e. the construction of additional tracks between Leppävaara and Kauklahti, will cause extensive traffic disruptions also this summer.  A five-week disruption in train traffic will take place between 23 June and 28 July, at which time several turnout, bridge and tunnel work will be carried out between Kauklahti and Karjaa, in addition to the Espoo City Rail Link project.
On 4 May, 18 May, 25 May and 29 May, there is a 24-hour interruption in train traffic between Leppävaara and Kauklahti. In the autumn, there are 48-hour interruptions on the Leppävaara-Kauklahti section, on 30 August–1 September, 6–8 September  and 13–15 September, as well as 24-hour interruptions on 21–22 September and 28–29 September.
•    Due to the capacity improvement project of the Helsinki-Riihimäki track, the western platform of Ainola will be decommissioned throughout the summer period. The platform will remain under the additional track to be built, and the structures required for the additional track will be built in summer. 
Due to the commissioning inspections of safety equipment and the installation of turnouts, there are reductions in train services between Helsinki and Riihimäki, as well as changes to train stops and platforms, between 16 June and 10 August.

•    Bridge work will be carried out on the Lahti-Riihimäki and Lahti-Kouvola section, between 27 and 29 June, causing changes in traffic. 

Western Finland
•    Due to the work of the Tampere railway station area development project (https://vayla.fi/en/developing-tampere-railway-station-area), there will be several interruptions in train traffic between April and May. The project work will affect both trains in the direction of Pori and on the main track. Trains will not travel to the north or west on 26 April, 3–4 May, 10–11 May, 17–18 May, 24–25 May and 31 May–1 June. 
In connection with the interruptions caused by the Tampere railway station area work, other work will also be carried out to reduce traffic impacts and, for example, the Digirail will be built.  Turnout replacements between Tampere and Seinäjoki will be made during the same interruptions.

•    The construction of the Digirail (https://vayla.fi/en/digirail) will cause interruptions in traffic on the Pori track, between 2 June and 26 October at night time.

•    The work of the Nokia railway station area project (https://vayla.fi/nokian-ratapiha) will cause a 72-hour disruption in traffic between Tampere and Pori, between 10 May and 13 May. 

•    On Midsummer, there will be a 24-hour interruption between Riihimäki and Tampere due to bridge work and interlocking updates 20 June – 21 June. 

•    The work of the Tampere-Jyväskylä railway project will cause several service interruptions on weekends, between 14 June and 13 July, a 72-hour interruption between 15 September and 18 September, as well as a 40-hour interruption between 26 September and 28 September.

•    The renovation work of the Jyväskylä-Pieksämäki section will cause traffic interruptions, between 26 May and 5 September, as well as a 72-hour interruption on 15–18 September. 

Eastern Finland
•    Due to the renovation of the northern track on the Kouvola-Luumäki section, train services will have approximately 24-hour interruptions on weekends, between 10 May and 10 August.

•    Due to tunnel work between Kouvola and Mikkeli, traffic will be blocked at night time, on 8–15 September, on 18–26 September, on 28 September – 3 October, on 5–26 October, as well as for 48 hours on 6–7 September. The 24-hour interruption will be on 4–5 October.

Northern Finland
•    The renovation of the Oulu-Laurila track will cause several service interruptions. Renovation includes the renewal of the superstructure, the replacement of level crossings and the renewal of bridges. Short interruptions 2 June–25 September, 24-hour interruptions 24 May, 31 May, 7 October and a 48-hour interruption 21–23 October.

•    Work on the Touhula underpass will cause a traffic interruption between 29 August and 2 September, between Iisalmi and Kuopio. 

•    There are 24-hour interruptions between Ylivieska and Iisalmi due to bridge work, starting on 10 May, 17 May, 29 August and 1 September.

Inquiries:
Head of Department (project implementation, south) Jussi Lindberg, tel. +358 29 534 3820
Head of Department (project implementation, east and north) Miia Kari, tel. +358 29 534 3111
Head of Department (project implementation, west) Janne Wikström, tel. +358 29 534 3600
Specialist, Rail Transport Planning Taru Palsa, tel. +358 29 534 3349
Specialist, Rail Traffic Control and Management Juha Kröger, tel. +358 29 534 3853
Email addresses are [email protected]