Pirkanmaa pushes for major road and rail funding as budget talks begin

September 1, 2026 · 1 month ago

Pirkanmaa will press the government in upcoming budget talks for funding for several ready-to-build road and rail projects, protection for the UKK Institute's budget and a rethink of recent cuts to municipal state subsidies.

"Now is the time to respond to a nationally important transport hub's needs," said Marko Koskinen. Pirkanmaa will press the government starting Tuesday in budget negotiations for funding for several ready-to-build road and rail projects, protection for the UKK Institute's budget and a reassessment of recent cuts to municipal state subsidies.

The campaign follows a May call from a Pirkanmaa coalition urging a national investment package to fix bottlenecks on Highways 3, 9 and 12, and comes amid broader municipal funding concerns flagged earlier this spring when cities warned that cuts to state subsidies threaten basic services. It also connects to commuter rail planning deadlines set by the transport authority earlier this year and Traficom's timetable for committing to 2031 services.

Koskinen says the money is needed not just for local convenience but for national passenger and freight flows, export logistics, resilience and military mobility. The region is seeking funding for mainline rail projects and upgrades to national roads 3, 9, 11 and 12, a political commitment to expand commuter rail in the Tampere region and pre-planning for moving Tampere's marshalling yard. Time is short.

Päivi Nurminen, regional director, warns the spring decision to cut 60 million euros from municipal basic service subsidies is the biggest threat to cash-strapped towns. She wants the budget talks to find ways to revive housing construction and to support public transport ticket subsidies.

The region also wants targeted money for strategic research, development and innovation projects and for safeguarding the UKK Institute, whose grant from the Ministry of Finance was proposed to be cut by nearly 80 percent. Sports Minister Mika Poutala has told YLE he doubts that proposal will survive the cabinet talks.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's government holds its final budget negotiations on Tuesday and Wednesday. Parliament will make the ultimate decision on next year’s state budget.