Assessment of the effects of the Suomi line on the trackside areas

Suomi-Rata Oy’s goal is to plan a one-hour rail connection between Helsinki-Tampere and Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. Both options include a link from Pasila to Helsinki. A long-distance railway hub is to be built in Kerava with a connection to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. 

Suomi-Rata Oy’s assessment reports have however only indirectly addressed the regional aspects of the various rail alignment alternatives, for example in terms of population effects, the effects of choices related to housing and location (migration, commuting and business mobility) and regional vitality effects. In this respect, the situational picture remains incomplete for both alignment alternatives, as the proposed dynamic effects and/or accessibility benefits do not sufficiently address the effects on the areas between the alignment alternatives of Helsinki and Tampere. The situational picture also remains incomplete from the point of view of population policy, regional mobility and vitality effects, specifically for the province of Kanta-Häme and for the area of Hämeenlinna and Riihimäki in particular. 

MDI prepared a scenario analysis based around three different alternatives addressing the effects of the various rail alignment options on population policy, housing and location-related choices and vitality in Kanta-Häme province and within the province, in terms of the Hämeenlinna and Riihimäki area in particular. 

The material for the scenario review is the applicable data related to the subject area, surveys, reports and studies made on the subject area, as well as information derived from expert interviews. In connection with the scenario review, 6-8 expert interviews were undertaken with experts in traffic and movement, population development and attraction, housing and construction and vitality, focusing on the effects of rail changes from the perspective of Kanta-Häme province. 

Each scenario was examined from the perspective of Kanta-Häme and the area of Hämeenlinna and Riihimäki in particular.