Government agrees on significant transport investments with a focus on eastern Finland and military mobility

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government has agreed on the General Government Fiscal Plan for 2027–2030. The Government has agreed on significant transport investments across Finland. 

A substantial share of the projects will be implemented in eastern Finland, in line with the programme that Government has launched for eastern Finland to promote growth and vitality in the region.

Another priority in transport investments is military mobility. The Government will launch infrastructure projects essential for military mobility in two stages.  In the first stage, projects totalling EUR 112 million will be launched in various parts of Finland. Decisions on providing more funding for military mobility projects will be prepared by the autumn budget session.

“A well-functioning transport infrastructure is part of Finland’s comprehensive security. Northern cross-border connections are critical not only for the Nordic countries but also for the EU and NATO. These connections must be efficient under all circumstances,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne.

The Government will continue planning the European rail link between Tornio and Kemi. Further measures will include improvements to critical road connections, planning of transport routes and strengthening of bridges. 

The Nordic countries have intensified their cooperation in reinforcing critical connections. The Joint Nordic Strategy for Transport System Preparedness was published in March 2026.

Throughout this government term, Finland has worked actively to ensure that in the next financial period EU funding is channelled into infrastructure projects essential for comprehensive security and strategic competitiveness.

Funding decisions of the Government spending limits discussion for the first stage of military mobility projects

At this stage, it was decided to reserve funding for the following projects:

• “Rail Nordica”, continuing the planning for the European track gauge between Tornio and Kemi 
• Additional funding for the Leppävirta–Kuopio section on main road 5 (emergency landing strip)
• Additional funding for the Palojoensuu–Jatuni section on main road 21  
• Keltti bridge in Kouvola
• Kivisillansalmi bridge in Kuopio
• Tengeliönjoki bridges on main road 21
• Karigasniemi bridge on main road 92.

The package also includes projects that are not public.

New projects and additional funding across Finland

The Government has agreed on additional or new funding for several projects.

The development of the transport system and accessibility in eastern Finland will be guided by the objectives of the Transport 12 Plan, taking into account the special characteristics of the regions.

Additional funding will be allocated for the development of the Karelian railway. The construction of the double-track section between Luumäki and Joutseno on the Lappeenranta-Lauritsala rail line will continue. A by-pass rail line will be constructed between Imatra and Joensuu. Further measures on the northern section of the Karelian Railway, between Joensuu and Nurmes, will im-prove functionality and capacity. Electrification of the Joensuu–Uimaharju section will be planned. In addition, the Vuokatti–Kontiomäki rail line will be electrified.

“The Karelian railway is busy and very important for the accessibility and competitiveness of eastern Finland. The funding now agreed by the Government will increase capacity and improve the smooth flow of traffic on the rail section,” Minister Ranne says.

In addition to the Karelian railway, the eastern Finland package includes:

• Improvement of main road 23 between Rantala and Lajunlahti in Heinävesi
• Improvement of main road 6 at Tolosenmäki in Kitee
• Improvement of main road 9 at Ylämylly, the Riistavesi bridge project, the Suonenjoki city centre (authorisation)
• Extension of the Leppävirta–Kuopio project on main road 5 at the emergency landing strip (as part of military mobility projects)
• Improvement of highway 506 at the Karjalankatu junction in Juuka.

The Government also allocated funding for the following projects:

• Deepening the Loviisa fairway
• Main road 51, Kela junction
• Junction arrangements on main road 9 in the centre of Suonenjoki 
• Deepening the Vaasa port fairway
• Planning for electrification of the Vaasa port railway
• Ytterjeppo interchange on main road 8 
• Widening of main road 8 between Bäckliden and Brännbacken
• Additional funding for the Tähtelä junction in Inkoo
• Vuohimäki interchange in Kirkkonummi
• Main road 2 in Pori
• Lepplax interchange 
• Main road 13 between Savitaipale and Lemi
• Additional funding to land use, housing and transport projects (re-routing of the Turku port railway, Oulu passenger rail yard).

Funding for basic transport infrastructure management will be gradually reduced so that the savings will be EUR 30 million at the 2027 level and EUR 38.5 million in 2028.

Measures will also be taken to safeguard regional air services over the long term, in line with previously agreed national aviation reports and policies. A working group will be appointed to prepare a model for the flight connections to regional airports.

Inquiries:

Markus Liesegang, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 042, [email protected]