The Ministry of Transport and Communications has requested the Finnish Transport Agency to explore, in cooperation with the Norwegian transport authorities, the possibilities of constructing the Arctic railway and to examine its profitability.
The purpose of the assignment is to examine the possible rail lines, find out what the users need and identify a possible business model and demand potential.
According to the information request, the work should be carried out in cooperation with the Norwegian railway authorities and making use of the Nordic cooperation forum of the railway authorities. The assignment is to be completed by 28 February 2018.
Cooperation regarding the Arctic railway was discussed already in June when the Finnish Minister of Transport and Communications Anne Berner met the Norwegian Minister of Transport and Communications Ketil Solvik-Olsen.
"The importance of the Arctic region is growing from the perspective of both the Nordic countries and the European Union. The Arctic railway would speed up the development of the region and promote its growth and employment. It would also improve our climate change preparedness," Minister Berner says.
