Ranne wants more cars and goods on Finnish roads

THE MINISTRY of Transport and Communications has opened a public consultation period for a new 12-year national transport plan for 2026–2037.

The draft plan would shift the focus away from large-scale transport infrastructure projects toward the maintenance of existing road and rail infrastructure while taking into account the accessibility, cost-effectiveness and crisis resilience of the transport network.

The objective is to slow down, and ultimately stop, the growth of the repair backlog and ensure a sufficiently functioning transport network and an adequate level of transport services, according to the ministry.

Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne (PS) indicated that the draft goes back to “basics” in part due to scarce resources. The projects launched under the plan, she added, will nevertheless strengthen the national economy and security, and ensure that goods and different modes of transport are available in all parts of Finland.

“When you are short on money, you have to put your resources primarily in looking after the current road and rail network,” she commented to Suomen Uutiset, the official mouthpiece of the Finns Party, on 20 December.

The 12-year plan, she added, lays out measures that will put a stop to the increase in road and rail connections that are in bad condition for several years. “It will be hard to rein in the maintenance backlog, but once the economy starts growing we will be able to afford more also in basic infrastructure.”

Ranne reminded that the government added new road infrastructure projects, including national highways 12, 15 and 21, to its investment list at the framework session last spring.

“We need more driven kilometres, more cars, more people and more tonnes [of goods] on the roads, more road safety. The safer, better functioning and more sustainable traffic and the transport system are in Finland, the more they will create economic growth,” she asserted.

The draft plan also reflects changes in the operating environment, namely the geopolitical situation, with an increased emphasis on security of supply. For example, it calls for an assessment of the need to change the track gauge from 1,524 millimetres to 1,435 millimetres, the standard gauge in Europe, to facilitate the mobility of military troops and respond to industrial needs especially in Northern Finland.

The assessment is to be wrapped up in 2026.

“The assessment will take into consideration the existing rail network and possible new development needs from Finland to Sweden, as well as to important ports,” the draft plan reads.

Aleksi Teivainen – HT