The City Board proposes that the City Council approve an amendment to the agreement between the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and the cities of Espoo and Kauniainen concerning the planning and construction of the Espoo City Rail Link and separate projects related to it.

According to the amended agreement, Espoo’s share of the costs of the Espoo City Rail Link is 40.9%, but not exceeding EUR 142.8 million. In the original agreement, Espoo’s share was 40.0%, but not exceeding EUR 110 million. The estimated total cost of the project is EUR 357 million. The original cost estimate approved by the state and the municipalities was EUR 275 million.

According to the agreement, the state’s share of the costs is 51.2%, but not exceeding EUR 178.5 million. According to the original agreement, the state’s share was 50%. The City of Kauniainen’s share is 7.9%, but not exceeding EUR 27.5 million. The percentage decreased because Kauniainen has decided to make the park-and-ride facility, which was included in the original plan, a conditional project. Kauniainen’s share will remain unchanged in terms of euros.

The increase in the cost estimate is due to the general increase in costs.

The planning of the City Rail Link project has received CEF funding, and the intention is to apply for funding for its construction as well. It is estimated that the City of Espoo will receive approximately EUR 30 million of the funding granted. In addition, it is possible to allocate EUR 10–20 million to the project in the form of land use agreement revenue from the City Rail Link station areas that are under development.

Espoo City Rail Link will improve the punctuality and efficiency of train services

The Espoo City Rail Link is a joint project of Espoo, Kauniainen and the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency to build two new tracks between Leppävaara and Kauklahti. They will improve the punctuality and smooth flow of long-distance traffic to and from Turku and local traffic in Karjaa, Kirkkonummi and Espoo as part of the capital region public transport system.

Once completed, the two southern tracks will serve commuter trains and the two northern tracks will be used by long-distance trains. The station environments along the rail link will also be developed in line with the railway plan.

The City of Espoo will carry out its own separate projects in connection with the City Rail Link project, including Rantaradanbaana with the aim of improving cycle and pedestrian routes along the railway line.