Rail Nordica planning has advanced, with Sweco selected for a key role in the Finnish rail project. The assignment supports Finland’s planned standard-gauge connection with Sweden and the wider European rail network.

Rail Nordica planning moves Finland toward Europe
Rail Nordica planning moves Finland toward Europe

In its announcement, Sweco said it will work with the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, Väylävirasto, under a contract running from 2026 to 2030. For Sweco, the assignment is worth about EUR 9 million and sits within the wider planning work for the Rail Nordica project.

Rail Nordica planning and the gauge issue

Rail Nordica is being planned as a European standard-gauge railway connection from northern Finland toward the European rail system. Its strategic value is linked to cross-border logistics, security of supply and military mobility, at a time when European countries are giving more attention to resilient and interoperable transport infrastructure.

The gauge issue is one of the project’s central technical points. Finland’s current railway network uses 1524 mm gauge, which differs from the European standard. Rail Nordica is meant to create a more direct railway connection with Sweden and, through Sweden, with rail infrastructure across the rest of Europe.

New route between Haparanda-Tornio and Kemi

The planned line would connect the Haparanda-Tornio border area with Kemi in northern Finland. According to Väylävirasto’s procurement update, the initial development phase is set to continue through 2027, with the implementation design phase planned to run through 2030.

The new European standard-gauge line would be designed alongside the existing Finnish railway line, which uses a different gauge. Sweco, working as part of a consortium, will contribute to studies, geotechnical investigations, general planning and environmental impact assessment procedures.

“Rail Nordica strengthens Finland’s connections to northern and western Europe and supports efficient cross-border transport. Sweco has extensive experience in delivering critical, multinational, and complex transportation infrastructure projects in Europe. “We are proud to contribute our expertise to a project that improves security of supply and contributes to long-term, sustainable growth in the Nordic region,” said Thomas Hietto, Business Area President, Sweco Finland.

Funding and strategic role in Northern Europe

Finland has allocated EUR 20 million in the state budget for Rail Nordica planning. Of that amount, EUR 18 million is assigned to the current procurement, while Sweco’s contract value accounts for EUR 9 million.

Väylävirasto is responsible for the development, maintenance and long-term planning of Finland’s state transport network. Its responsibilities include roads, railways and waterways, giving the agency a central role in Finland’s logistics, sustainable mobility and international connectivity.

The project is also part of a wider effort to strengthen railway connections in Northern Europe. Railway Supply previously covered Rail Nordica in the context of Finland’s broader push to improve cross-border rail links and align northern connections with European track-gauge standards.

Its security dimension follows the same strategic logic. Interoperable railway infrastructure is becoming more important for freight flows, supply chains and military mobility, particularly in border regions and corridors that can connect the Nordic countries with the rest of Europe.