The Finnish Mainline is the Northern Corridor of Europe
The Finnish Mainline is a part of the Trans-European Transport Core Network (TEN-T). With the Connecting Europe Facility 2 coming into effect in the Spring of 2021, the European Commission proposal of the North Sea Baltic Core Network Corridor being extended through Finland to the harbour of Luleå, Sweden is also being enacted. The Finnish Mainline is thus on its way to becoming a northern Core Network Corridor of the TEN-T. This will increase the importance of the Mainline and strengthen its chances of receiving EU-funding.
The Mainline is the backbone of Finnish rail transport
On a national level the Mainline is the bloodline of Finnish transport. The areas surrounding the Mainline house half of Finland’s population and generate 2/3 of GDP. The Mainline is home to the country’s busiest passenger and freight transport lines. Securing operations on the Mainline is essential for the future of Finland.
The railway lines joining the Mainline connect it to every corner of the country.
As a Core Network Corridor, the Mainline increases its chances for receiving EU funding
CEF (Connecting Europe Facility) is an EU funding instrument for transport, energy and digital infrastructure projects.
For the funding period 2021-2027 a total of 30,6 billion euros has been allocated for CEF transport funding. Finnish projects can apply for funding from the general envelope (10 B €) or from the military mobility envelope (1,5 B €).
As a Core Network Corridor, the Finnish Mainline’s possibility of receiving CEF funding has increased. In order to receive funds during the new funding period, preparations for the Mainline development project must be started without delay.
The Finnish Mainline Group
The Finnish Mainline Group advances the cause of the Finnish Mainline both on a national level and internationally. The Group consists of 11 regions, major cities, and representatives of industry. The group, chaired by the Council of Tampere Region, has been operating since 2014.
Additional information:
Mainline Group Chair
Ruut-Maaria Rissanen
Director, Regional land use planning
Council of Tampere Region
ruut-maaria.rissanen(at)pirkanmaa.fi
+358 44 422 2264
Mainline Group Deputy Chair
Markus Erkkilä
Planning Director
Council of Oulu Region
olli.kiviniemi(at)pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi
+358 40 685 4045
Mainline Group Secretary
Juho Vehviläinen
Traffic Planner
Council of Tampere Region
juho.vehvilainen(at)pirkanmaa.fi
+358 44 422 2017
