Skip to content

Espoo Rail Line

Railway project Ongoing Uusimaa

The Espoo Rail Line is one of the projects developing the public transport system in the Helsinki metropolitan area. At the same time, it improves the punctuality and flow of the long-distance traffic in the Turku direction, and the commuter traffic of Karjaa, Kirkkonummi and Espoo.

Espoon kaupunkiradan töitä toukokuussa 2024.

Basic information of the project


Download project card (pdf)
Timetable
2020–2029
Costs
approx. EUR 330 million
Customer
Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, City of Espoo, City of Kauniainen
Goals
  • To enable frequent and regular commuter train traffic not affected by disruptions in long-distance traffic.
  • To improve the infrastructure capacity of the Helsinki-Turku rail connection.
  • To improve the punctuality of traffic and reduce the sensitivity to disruptions.
  • General plans 2002–2011
  • Railway plan 2012–2014
  • Construction plan 2021–2023
  • Construction phase 2024–2029

Watch the video to see how the project's new pair of tracks and street connections relate to the existing tracks and other routes.

3D model of Espoo Rail Line project

The link below allows you to dive into the 3D model of the project and move along the track across the entire track section.

3D model of Espoo Rail Line project

Scope of the project

In the agreement on land use, housing and transport (MAL) for the Helsinki region, the state and municipalities have agreed that the state will launch the implementation of the Leppävaara-Kauklahti section of the Espoo Rail Line in accordance with the railway plan.

The railway plan describes the construction of two additional tracks next to the current tracks between Leppävaara and Kauklahti. In the final situation, the two southernmost tracks will be used for frequent urban rail traffic and the two northernmost tracks for faster commuter traffic and long-distance traffic in the Turku direction. The plan presents the development of the traffic operating points of Kilo, Kera, Kauniainen, Koivuhovi, Tuomarila, Espoo Centre and Kauklahti, links to other land use plans and planned park-and-ride facilities.

The socio-economic impacts of the project have been presented in the project appraisal of the Espoo Rail Line. Its benefit-cost ratio is 0.88.

Design maps

Below are the general maps of the project’s construction plan and design maps from Leppävaara to Kauklahti. 

In accordance with the railway plan, the maps are displayed north-down, south-up.

Impacts of the project

The Espoo Rail Line will improve the infrastructure capacity of the Helsinki-Turku rail connection, enhance the punctuality of traffic and reduce disruptions on the line section. In the efforts to improve the Helsinki-Turku rail connection, the Espoo Rail Line is the first construction phase, regardless of whether it is decided to improve the current track or to promote the implementation of the Espoo-Salo direct line.

An environmental impact assessment was prepared in connection with the railway plan. It examined, among other things, the project’s impacts on the landscape, nature and people and the impact areas of noise and vibration. A separate transport infrastructure architecture report presents a preliminary plan for the uniform appearance of the city rail link and, for example, the shape and colours of platform shelters. In addition to the railway plan, a so-called quality cycling corridor has also been planned in the vicinity of the track.
 

Schedule and costs

The railway plan was approved in 2015, and its period of validity was extended until the end of 2023. The launch of the implementation is based on the MAL agreement for 2020–2031 between Helsinki region and the state. The railway project will be implemented as a jointly funded project with the cities of Espoo and Kauniainen. The implementation of the Espoo Rail Line began with construction planning in early 2021. The project is estimated to be completed in 2029.

The total cost estimate for the project is approximately EUR 330 million.
In connection with railway construction, approximately EUR 120 million will be used for implementing separate projects (i.e. bridge and road projects) of the cities of Espoo and Kauniainen, and the quality cycling corridor Rantaradanbaana. In connection with the project, Rantaradanbaana will be implemented for the section planned by the cities from Leppävaara to Espoo Centre. 

You can also follow the progress of the project on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/espoonkaupunkirata 
 

Rantaradanbaana on the City of Espoo website

 

Inforegio - Download centre for visual elements

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is solely responsible for the content of this publication. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union.