More major repairs in prospect for Helsinki-Turku rail link

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According to the plans of the Finnish Rail Administration (RHK), which is in charge of Finland’s rail network, the main rail line between Helsinki and Turku will be repaired again during the two successive summers of 2005 and 2006.
      Apparently, the rail line will be closed to passenger traffic for up to seven days in both years.
      The total costs for the repairs will amount to EUR 7 to 8 million.
     
Previously, the Helsinki-Turku rail line was repaired extensively between 1979 and 1995, but the results do not serve the modern requirements of fast passenger traffic as well as they should. For example, the high-speed Pendolinos are unable to run at their full potential for large sections of the 107-km route under current discussion.
      In particular the track between Karjaa and Turku is in bad shape. The line was originally laid in very difficult terrain where soft clay-rich soil was alternating with hard rock.
     
The Ministry of Transport and Communications intends to set up a committee to re-investigate the so called Elsa rail line (Helsinki-Espoo-Lohja-Salo-Turku). The project was buried when the repairs of the existing Helsinki-Turku link (which takes a more southerly and less direct route between the two cities) were started in 1979.
      Moreover, The Finnish Rail Administration has already included the Elsa line in its 2050 visions. The line would shorten the trip from Helsinki to Turku by an estimated 13 minutes. The costs per minute would be fairly astronomical: the bill for the project is estimated at EUR 750 million. There are, however, other aspects, relating to the development of the Greater Helsinki region in that general direction.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finnish Railways surprised by success of printable e-tickets (27.5.2004)

Links:
  VR (Finnish Railways) passenger service
  Finnish Rail Administration (RHK)

Helsingin Sanomat