Oulu Passenger Rail Yard

Railway project Ongoing North Ostrobothnia

The Oulu Passenger Rail Yard project will modernize the railway station platforms and improve routes for passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and other users moving through the station area. The project is a joint initiative between the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and the City of Oulu, and it aims to make the station area safer, more accessible, and easier to navigate for all users.

Aerial view of Oulu railway station. Multiple parallel railway tracks run through the centre of the image. On the left are three tall apartment buildings with glass balconies. On the right are a road, parked cars and a bus stop. In the background are trees and low-rise buildings beneath a clear blue sky.
  • Planning: 2022–2025
  • Construction: 2026–2029
  • Completion: 2029

Basic information of the project


Timetable
2026-2029
Contractor
Multiple contractors
Costs
46,5 M€
Customer
Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and the City of Oulu
Goals
  • Improve safety and accessibility of the Oulu railway station 
  • Enhance routes for passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists
  • Meet the growing demand for rail travel
  • Support the development of central Oulu and promote more efficient land use

Project Summary

The Oulu Passenger Rail Yard Project will modernize the railway station platforms and improve routes for passengers and other users in the station area. Construction will take place between 2026 and 2029. The joint project by the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and the City of Oulu is part of the wider redevelopment of the area surrounding the Oulu railway station.

The project will significantly improve accessibility and safety at the station. Separate routes for pedestrians and cyclists will improve the safety and flow of traffic. Two new underpasses will be built to provide access to the passenger platforms, while the existing underpass will be reserved exclusively for cyclists.

Work began in April 2026 and the construction of the passenger platforms and underpasses will start in August 2026. Special attention will be paid to environmental considerations throughout the project. Rail traffic will continue operating normally during construction.

Background

Oulu railway station is the busiest passenger rail station in Northern Finland and an important public transport hub. Developing the passenger rail yard will improve operating conditions for rail traffic, reduce congestion on platforms and in underpasses, and minimize delays to train services.

The project also supports the City of Oulu’s long-term plans to develop the area surrounding the train station and creates the conditions needed for future regional commuter rail services.

Project Execution

The project will be carried out in two phases between 2026 and 2029.

The first phase began in April 2026. During this phase, redundant railway tracks in the rail yard are removed, and preparatory work is carried out to relocate the car-carrier station. The station will be moved to its new location above Saaristonkatu in August 2026. Due to the relocation work, the terminal is temporarily closed from April to September 2026.

In addition, the first phase includes modifications to the rail electrification system, upgrades to signalling systems, and electrical and lighting works. The first phase is scheduled for completion in November 2026.

Construction will affect local traffic arrangements. Solistinkatu Street will be closed during spring 2026 between the Environment House and the bus station. However, access to the Environment House courtyard and parking garage will remain possible via the southern end of Solistinkatu.

The second phase, running from August 2026 to December 2029, will focus on the passenger platforms and new underpasses, including the renovation of existing platforms 2 and 3, the construction of new platforms 4 and 5. In addition, there will be improved access routes to the platforms, the installation of new elevators, clearer signage, and fully accessible platform facilities.

Safety and traffic flow in the station area will improve as pedestrian and cycling routes are separated. Two new underpasses will be built beneath the entire rail yard for passengers and pedestrians, while the current underpass will remain in cycling use only.

A key objective throughout construction is to ensure that both station access and train services continue to operate as smoothly as possible.

Objectives

The joint project between the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and the City of Oulu aims to improve safety and accessibility for all users of the railway station area.

Routes through the station will become clearer and more efficient as pedestrian and cycling traffic are separated. This will reduce congestion and improve the predictability of traffic through the area.

At the same time, the station’s capacity and operational efficiency will be upgraded to meet the needs of increasing rail traffic. The project also supports the long-term development of central Oulu and more efficient land use near the railway station.

Schedule

Construction work began in April 2026 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2029.

The car-carrier station in Oulu will be out of service from April to September 2026.

Cost and Funding

The project’s estimated total cost under the MAL agreement is €46.5 million:

  • Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency: €34.1 million
  • City of Oulu: €12.4 million


MAL projects (Land Use, Housing and Transport projects) are development initiatives jointly implemented by the Finnish government and urban regions such as Oulu, Turku, and Helsinki.