Afry and Sweco selected for Rail Nordica planning

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency has selected a consortium comprising AFRY and Sweco as planning partner for the Rail Nordica project.

Rail Nordica aims to develop a European standard-gauge rail connection from Haparanda on the Swedish border to Tornio, Kemi and the port of Kemi in northern Finland. 

The project is intended to strengthen rail links between Finland and Sweden, according to Jaakko Knuutila, director of planning at the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.

- With the procurement process completed, we can now move the project forward together with our planning partners, Knuutila said in a statement.

Sweco described the project as strategically important for cross-border logistics, security of supply and military mobility, and part of wider European efforts to strengthen resilient transport infrastructure.

- Rail Nordica strengthens Finland’s connections to northern and western Europe and supports efficient cross-border transport, said Thomas Hietto, president of Sweco Finland’s business area operations.

Finland uses a rail gauge of 1,524 mm, while Sweden operates on the European standard gauge of 1,435 mm. The two networks are currently connected via the Tornionjoki railway bridge using dual-gauge track.

In 2025, the project received planning authorisation worth approximately 20 million euro. The planning services contract now awarded is valued at around 18 million euro. The contract was awarded to the Pohjantähti consortium, comprising AFRY and Sweco. No construction decision has yet been made.

The project’s development phase will begin after the agreement is signed in June 2026 and is expected to continue until spring 2027. 

The planning services contract runs from 2026 to 2030.