Extending European route E16 to Finland progresses – Minister Ranne: Finland even more strongly connected to west

On 3 October 2025, the President of the Republic approved an amendment to the international agreement on European roads (AGR) by which European route 16, E16, can be extended to the Finnish side. The Ministry of Transport and Communications has launched a legislative project for the national implementation of extending E16 to Finland.

At present, E16 runs from Northern Ireland through Scotland and Norway to Gävle in Sweden. Finland proposed that the road be extended to the Finnish side to the Working Party on Road Transport of the UN Economic Commission for Europe that is responsible for matters concerning the European route network in October 2024.

“Next year, European route 16 will run from Northern Ireland all the way to the Kotka port! E6 will link one of the most critical east-west road connections in Finland even more strongly to the west and strengthen Finland’s national security, security of supply and economy. The European route status is indeed important. The Government has been proactive and has already made decisions that will improve the condition of the future E16 road in Finland,” Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne says.

In Finland, E16 will be formed by highway 12 between Rauma and Kouvola and highway 15 between Kouvola and Mussalo in Kotka. Near Tampere, E16 road will run through the ring road. Finland's segment of E16 will be about 400 kilometres long. The roads will be marked with the new E16 numbering, as well as the old national numbering. More than EUR 200 million in funding has been allocated to projects to improve highways 12 and 15, which will begin towards the end of 2025 and in spring 2026.

Extending E16 to Finland will be implemented nationally by a government decree that is being prepared in a legislative project launched by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

What’s next? 

The UN Secretary General will notify all countries that have joined the agreement on European roads (AGR) of the amendments that have been approved. The amendments will enter into force after three months from the notification. 

The preparation of the government decree has been scheduled so that the amendments will enter into force nationally at the same time.

Inquiries:

Eeva Ovaska, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 008, [email protected]