Western Connection – A Strategic Entity
The Western Connection is a key component of Finland’s and Varsinais-Suomi’s integration into the Nordic and European growth zones. Developing these connections strengthens accessibility, vitality, and international links, creating conditions for long-term growth and competitiveness.
Strengthening connections between Finland and Western Europe is a strategic priority for Varsinais-Suomi and all of Finland. Our goal is for Finland to become more closely integrated with the West in the future. The Western Connection strengthens cooperation between the Nordic capitals, improves Finland’s accessibility, and supports security of supply in a situation where the Baltic Sea security environment and our international transport routes are changing.
Westward connections are also a key prerequisite for growth and competitiveness in the expectations of the business sector.
The deteriorating security situation in the Baltic Sea region underscores the need for new logistical connections. The Western Connection builds alternative transport routes to Europe and the world for Finland and complements secure routes. It also supports the development of military mobility, which has become a priority for EU funding.
Fixed Link from Helsinki and Turku to Stockholm
Finland’s most direct and historic connection to Europe runs from Turku to Stockholm. Planning for a fixed link has risen on the agenda in both domestic and European discussions. The connection would create a common economic area of seven million inhabitants, strengthening innovation, labor markets, and sustainable mobility.
At the same time, it would be a logical continuation of the EU’s emphasis on strengthening cross-border connections and military mobility.
The benefits of a fixed link have been examined, for example, in the Nordic Capitals Railway report, which envisions a high-speed rail connection between Oslo, Stockholm, and Helsinki. According to the report, the benefits of large cross-border rail projects emerge over decades, and in case studies, the labor market benefits have been significant. The business sector has also called for the potential of a connection between Helsinki and Stockholm. More dynamic labor markets and increasing interaction accelerate the emergence of new innovations and economic productivity.
Western Railway as Part of the European Transport Network
The Western Railway connects the entire Southwest Finland more closely to the national and European transport system. It is part of the TEN-T core network and the Scandinavian-Mediterranean Corridor and can be implemented as an EU joint project.
The Western Railway improves connections between Southern Finland’s growth centers and increases their reliability. The railway strengthens security of supply and hinterland connections to Southwest Finland’s ports. In addition to immediate benefits, it enables more dynamic labor markets and increases the attractiveness of companies.
The railway brings significant economic benefits both during construction and in the long term and has been assessed as socio-economically viable in the project company’s study. With faster long-distance train connections and commuter rail services, the Western Railway is a key step in reducing transport emissions between Helsinki and Turku.
Basic improvements to the Coastal Railway do not eliminate its unreliability and capacity challenges. The cost of double-tracking the Coastal Railway, which has served for over a hundred years, in challenging terrain rises to the level of the Western Railway without the benefits of a shortcut railway, which arise from shorter travel times and connecting new urban centers to rail transport.
Implementing the Western Railway in its entirety enables a sustainable transport system between the largest growth centers, Turku and Helsinki. For the first time, rail transport becomes a more attractive and faster alternative to private car use. By 2050, passenger numbers are estimated to rise to as many as 8 million per year.
Nordic Cooperation and Advocacy
The Regional Council of Varsinais-Suomi promotes the Western Connection in close cooperation with:
• Regional stakeholders
• Swedish and Norwegian regions
• The European Commission and the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE)
• The business sector and urban regions.
The goal is to strengthen a common Nordic commitment and ensure that the Western Connection is taken into account in the work of Finland’s future government, EU funding programs, and the upcoming TEN-T network update.
Western Connection in a Nutshell
The Western Connection is Finland’s and Varsinais-Suomi’s strategic westward transport and connectivity entity.
- Connects Finland and Varsinais-Suomi to Nordic and European transport and growth corridors
- Integrates maritime, rail, and road connections as part of the same entity
- Significant for vitality, security of supply, and international connections
- Development requires national and EU-level cooperation
- A long-term entity that progresses in stages
