This year, the objective of the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and ELY Centres has been to pave 4,000 kilometres of roads and pedestrian and cycling routes. We will also achieve this goal, which is very important, as it will help in preventing an increase to the road repair backlog for the current year. At the same time, we employed more than 2,000 people directly or indirectly at paving sites.
Summer passed on paving sites without significant problems or serious accidents, which is due to both the good safety culture of the construction sites and the traffic behaviour of road users. I would like to thank road users for their patience and cooperation.
We are also very grateful to the ELY Centres, asphalt industry contractors and all those who have worked at paving sites for their excellent performance.
Needed infrastructure investments bring an abundance of benefits
Infrastructure investments promotes the smooth movement of people and goods. In addition, investments strengthen wellbeing and the competitiveness of the economy as well as security of supply. A systematic approach, longevity, traffic volumes and accessibility are key factors guiding transport infrastructure investments. This year, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is carrying out large-scale transport infrastructure investment projects totalling nearly three billion euros in cost. More than 50 road, rail and waterway projects are underway in different parts of the country.
The three billion euro infrastructure investment programme laid down in the Government Programme for transport infrastructure projects that are important for business life and for reducing repair backlog is therefore very important. During its budget session, the Government decided to propose funding for several important transport projects across the country, including trunk road 15 Rantahaka (Kotka)-Kouvola, trunk road 21 Palojoensuu-Maunuja, trunk road 12 Mankala-Tillola, trunk road 5 Leppävirta-Kuopio and truck road 23 at Karvio Canal as well as for the Karjala railway line and the Coastal line.
EU support yet again available for infrastructure projects
In recent years, Finland has had great success with its applications for the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). Over the past five years, Finland has received EUR 365 million in aid, of which approximately EUR 280 million, or 76%, with applications submitted by the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency. Of these, EUR 74 million have been for military mobility projects.
Last July, we received the results of the CEF application round, which was the last major infrastructure application round for the current programming period 2021–2027. For this reason, a large number of applications were submitted and very high requirements had been set for granting the aid. The Commission stressed Europe-wide added value in the selection of projects. Thus, most of the approved projects concerned cross-border links between Member States.
Finland was awarded support for three railway infrastructure projects, while e.g. Sweden was not awarded any. However, both countries received support for the introduction of a digital train control system for rail transport. Finland also got funding for ports and the streamlining of shipping.
In autumn 2024, a call for applications will open during which countries can apply for funding to mitigate the impacts of climate change in the TEN-T network, the European maritime area and ITS projects. Although the Commission announced that the budget for the programming period will have been spent after the autumn call for applications, we hope that, towards the end of the programming period, excess aid returned Member States will be redistributed and that we will be able to apply for EU aid for state infrastructure projects again.
Kari Wihlman
General Director