Väylävirasto finishes need assessment for Pori–Parkano–Haapamäki rail

Väylävirasto announced that its need assessment for the Pori–Parkano–Haapamäki rail line is complete and does not support continuing the project planning. The agency says the estimated construction costs would be about €1–1.3 billion, while the expected benefits are too small.

The release explains that the 194-kilometre line was largely closed to traffic in 1985 and today only a short section in Aittaluoto, Pori, and about 48 kilometres between Parkano and Niinisalo are in train-operating condition. Because the track has not been maintained for decades due to low use, the condition has deteriorated significantly and, according to the assessment, the line would in practice have to be rebuilt.

Väylävirasto says technical review indicates the existing structures are outdated. In many places, the work would mean rebuilding major elements such as bridges, reinforcing embankments, improving drainage, and conducting extensive subgrade strengthening. The rail would also require new rails and sleepers, along with electrification, which is reflected in the high estimated price tag.

The assessment also found that both freight demand and passenger potential would remain limited. It notes that much of the freight would likely continue to move via the existing Tampere–Pori line since, for example from Eastern Finland, it would be the faster option. For passenger rail, the release states that demand would be low and any service would require significant public support, meaning public funding to purchase transport capacity.

According to Väylävirasto, environmental and land-use factors create additional challenges because settlement and other land use have expanded along the corridor since traffic ceased. Noise mitigation would be extensive, and vibration and ground-borne sound could be substantial in places. The release also points out that there are dozens of level crossings and sections where roads or recreational routes intersect the line, which would likely require replacing many crossings with overpasses or underpasses and road arrangements—potentially lengthening local travel due to detours. The agency concludes that, overall, the project is not socially and economically profitable, with the assessment indicating profitability would be at least €550 million in the red, and therefore recommends not continuing planning for the Pori–Parkano–Haapamäki line.