Minister Berner: Helsinki-Tallinn tunnel could link the Arctic region with the heart of Europe via Finland
The FinEst Link project published the results of the feasibility study of the Helsinki-Tallinn railway tunnel in Tallinn today, 7 February. According to the study, a tunnel connection would bring wide-ranging social and economic benefits to the cities and states in the area and to Europe overall.
- The tunnel would together with the Rail Baltica railway project and the Arctic railway line connect the Arctic region with the heart of Europe via Finland. The tunnel could thus be a significant project for all of Finland and Europe, not only for Helsinki and Tallinn, says Minister of Transport and Communications Berner.
At the publication event, Minister Berner participated in a panel of decision-makers and project partners together with Kadri Simson, Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure of Estonia, and Jan Vapaavuori, Mayor of Helsinki.
Berner emphasises the increasing importance of the Arctic region from the viewpoint of both the Nordic countries and the EU. Well-functioning transport and telecommunication connections in turn are a prerequisite for the sustainable development and growth of the Arctic region, she says.
The aim is to evaluate the results of the study in more detail during the spring and reflect on how the possible further work would be implemented and financed.
The FinEst Link project is a feasibility study financed by the EU's Interreg Central Baltic programme. The project has been coordinated by the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council.