{"id":78399,"date":"2026-05-22T14:01:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T11:01:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/?p=78399"},"modified":"2026-05-22T14:01:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T11:01:20","slug":"sweco-selected-to-plan-rail-nordica-railway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sweco.fi\/en\/insight\/press-releases\/sweco-selected-to-plan-rail-nordica-railway\/","title":{"rendered":"Sweco\u00a0and AFRY selected to plan the Rail Nordica railway project connecting Finland to the West"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo: Stock photo of rail, free use, credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Sweco\u00a0and AFRY selected to plan the Rail Nordica railway project connecting Finland to the West<\/h1>\n

V\u00e4yl\u00e4virasto,\u00a0The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency has selected a consortium formed by\u00a0Sweco\u00a0and AFRY to plan the Rail Nordica railway project, which aims to connect the Finnish railway network with Northern European rail infrastructure. In this project,\u00a0Sweco\u00a0and AFRY will\u00a0be responsible for\u00a0administrative planning, permit processes, and ground investigations related to the railway connection and associated infrastructure.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0objective\u00a0of the Rail Nordica project to strengthen Finland\u2019s railway connections to the\u00a0West and\u00a0ensure efficient cross-border transport chains. If implemented, the railway will improve Finland\u2019s security of supply and enhance the operating conditions for businesses.\u00a0The project covers a planned railway connection between the Haparanda\u2013Tornio border crossing point and Kemi. The preliminary scope includes a link from Haparanda to the Port of Kemi, the Tornio\u2013R\u00f6ytt\u00e4\u00a0connection, a transfer terminal in the Tornio area, and a new railway bridge across the Tornio River.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During the development phase,\u00a0Sweco\u00a0and AFRY will work together with the\u00a0V\u00e4yl\u00e4virasto\u00a0to define the detailed scope and schedule of the planning work. This phase will continue until spring 2027, after which the project will move into the implementation phase of planning, expected to last until the end of 2030.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The consortium will\u00a0be responsible for\u00a0required studies, ground investigations, master planning, and environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedures along the Tornio\u2013Kemi section. The assignment also includes preparing railway plans so that detailed construction planning can begin as soon as funding is secured.\u00a0The railway will be designed using the European standard gauge, which is used in Sweden and is narrower than Finland\u2019s current track gauge. As a result, a new\u00a0standard-gauge\u00a0track will be planned alongside the existing railway within the project area.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“The\u00a0purpose\u00a0of\u00a0this\u00a0procurement\u00a0method\u00a0is to\u00a0ensure\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0planning\u00a0proceeds\u00a0smoothly, and\u00a0we\u00a0focus\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0most\u00a0important\u00a0issues\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0sites\u00a0that\u00a0are\u00a0the\u00a0most\u00a0urgent,”\u00a0says\u00a0<\/span>Outi\u00a0Leuhtonen<\/span><\/b>, Project\u00a0Manager\u00a0of Railway Planning at\u00a0the\u00a0Finnish\u00a0Transport\u00a0Infrastructure\u00a0Agency.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is great to be involved in planning Finland\u2019s first railway project based on the European standard gauge. Rail Nordica highlights the importance of the railway network for security of supply and strengthens our connections to the West,\u201d says Juho Siipo<\/strong>,\u00a0Divison\u00a0director,\u00a0Infrastructure and Transport,\u00a0Sweco.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A total of EUR 20 million has been\u00a0allocated\u00a0in the state budget for the planning of Rail Nordica, of which EUR 18 million is earmarked for this procurement.<\/p>\n

Inquiries:<\/strong>
\nJuho Siipo, Division director, Infrastructure and Transportation at Sweco Finland, tel. +358 40 076 4890, juho.siipo@sweco.fi
\nTiina Varhee, media contact, Sweco, tel. +358 40 723 1231 ext.tiina.varhee@sweco.fi
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