20.11.2025
Northern gate to Europe strengthens – double track funding secured
The Finnish Government today submitted to Parliament a proposal for an amending budget for 2026. The proposal secures funding for both the Liminka-Oulu double track and the launch of passenger traffic from Oulu to Haparanda. A total of EUR 209 million is proposed for the construction of the double track and EUR 1.9 million for purchasing traffic from Oulu to Haparanda.
“This is a very important project for Northern Finland and even nationally on the Finnish main line. The implementation of the project will contribute to the competitiveness of Northern Finland as a whole and to the regional structure of the Oulu region", Region Mayor Jussi Rämet Northern Ostrobothnia is rejoicing.
The double track is also very important for security of supply when the world situation has changed. Rämet points out that all of Finland's land transport connections are formed to the west via Northern Finland, which is why the main route connections are particularly important.
“Developing the Liminka-Oulu interval is a matter of common concern for the whole of the North”, Rämet adds.
The Regional Director would also like to thank all the stakeholders in the north for their common and unified approach, as the twin rail project has been taken forward.
"The funding we have now secured is the result of systematic and, above all, joint Influencing by all of us. The Liminka-Oulu double track has been one of the leading transport projects of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region and regional stakeholders for a decade. In such a situation, the financing decisions are of great importance to the county. ’
The Liminka-Oulu double track was included in Prime Minister Orpo’s government programme in the summer of 2023, which provided confidence in the north.
“The Government consistently stated that it was implementing the project it had promised in the Government Programme. The plans and infrastructure plans for implementation have finally been completed, and we can be pleased that, in line in cooperation with the Prime Minister's and Government's promises, funding has been secured", continues Regional Director Rämet..
Double track makes traffic more efficient
Planning Director of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region Markus Erkkilä considers it essential that the double track should make it possible to increase the number of long-distance trains on the line. At the same time, its sensitivity to interference is reduced. Faster train connections between Oulu and Helsinki are expected. The double track also creates the conditions to promote regional train traffic.
“From Oulu to Ylivieska, passenger numbers have increased by 39% since 2019. Due to the very strong growth, nearly two million passengers travel from Oulu to the south every year. Additional tracks are really needed to match the needs of high-speed passenger trains and slower freight traffic," says Erkkilä.
The EUR 212 million railway project has been included in the regional transport system plan for Northern Ostrobothnia for more than a decade. The project has also been included in the measures of the Northern Finland Programme and the Northern Transport Strategy.
“The geopolitical situation and transport needs have fundamentally changed in recent years. The long planning period for transport projects has not allowed investment financing decisions to be made faster than this. We expect and assume that transport projects in the north will continue to be taken forward at an ever-increasing pace. Of the northern rail projects, the planning readiness of the section between Ylivieska and Liminka in particular should be closely promoted in the future", Rämet sums up.
A sustainable tourism route opens up in Europe
The Government's decision to reserve the fundings to start passenger transport from Oulu to Haparanda is also praised by the Regional Assembly. A project in cooperation with a moderate annual cost is symbolic.
“The natural continuum of electrification of the rail section is the launch of passenger transport from Oulu to the north. Passenger transport will further strengthen the cross-border link of the Bothnian Arc", says Rämet.
Markus Erkkilä points out that travelling by land is also a growing trend in international and sustainable tourism.
“The launch of passenger transport means not only a connection from Oulu to the candy shops or furniture shops in Haparanda, but also an opportunity for us to travel from Helsinki via Oulu to Stockholm and always to Europe.”
Additional information:
Jussi Rämet, Regional Director, tel. +358 40 586 3877, jussi.ramet@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi
Markus Erkkilä, Director of Planning, tel. +358 40 685 4045, markus.erkkila@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi
