Work on Rauma’s new passenger rail stop nearing completion – passenger train services open by summer 2027
News
Construction work on Rauma’s new passenger rail stop has progressed as planned over the summer. Work began at the end of April with the removal of trees and topsoil, followed by ground reinforcement. During the summer, work has focused on building the new platform area and the future park-and-ride facility.
The new passenger rail stop is being built along the existing railway line, on the north side of the tracks. In addition to the new platform area, the project includes a shelter, which will be installed in October and November.
“The platform is 120 metres long, and the new lighting has already been installed. The electrical distribution board controlling the lighting will also be installed soon. The shelters will arrive at the construction site within the next couple of weeks, after which we can begin installing them,” says Eeli Häggman, Site Supervisor Trainee at NRC Group.
The rail stop will be accessible via a step-free route. Finishing work on the route, including paving and asphalt work, will begin in October. Before this, a concrete reinforcement structure was built between the access route and the railway to strengthen the retaining wall.
“The concrete structure was needed because the railway is at a higher level than the access route leading to the underpass and the rail stop. It ensures that the railway structures remain in their correct positions now that the area has been modified for the new rail stop,” says Esa Juhantila, Project Director at NRC Group.
Changes to railway signalling and safety systems have also been carried out during the summer as part of the project. Passenger information systems will also be installed at the new rail stop.
Parking for approximately 100 cars
NRC Group is also constructing the park-and-ride facility associated with the rail stop. It will be located to the east of the new Leikarinkatu street, which will be built from Itsenäisyydenkatu. The facility will provide parking for approximately 100 cars. A new accessible route will connect the parking area and platform with Leikarinpolku, which passes beneath the railway and the highway.
“Landscaping work in the park-and-ride area will begin shortly. Trees and shrubs will be planted, and several lawn areas will also be sown,” says Ville Toivanen, Site Supervisor at NRC Group.
Traffic arrangements in the area have also been taken into account throughout the construction work, ensuring that pedestrian and cycling connections remain functional during all stages of the project. Most of the work will be completed in November, with the entire project scheduled for completion by the end of the year.
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is responsible for commissioning the Rauma rail stop project, while the City of Rauma is responsible for the construction costs.
Accessible platform area designed to serve all passengers
“The rail stop, which will be completed towards the end of the year, is an important milestone on the way towards the return of passenger rail services to Rauma. The city has wanted to ensure that traffic arrangements in the area remain smooth and safe throughout the construction work. Once the rail stop is complete, it is important to us that the platform area is accessible and that the stop serves the needs of different passengers as well as possible,” says Esko Poikela, Mayor of Rauma.
The new rail stop will make it possible to launch passenger train services between Rauma, Kokemäki and Tampere in spring 2027, after a break of nearly 40 years. In the future, the rail stop will serve as Rauma’s new railway station.
