The City Council approved the specified project plan for Vantaa light rail

Tags

The project plan, total price, and revenue estimate of Vantaa light rail have been specified. During the year-long developmental stage, the alliance partners have analyzed all the building plans and costs of the light rail. Based on the development work done, the Vantaa light rail alliance presents a revised project plan.

The biggest changes are related to the project's total price, as well as more detailed implementation of the light rail. Likewise, the estimate of the revenues generated by the project has been specified.

The alliance will build the line from the northern entrance of Aviapolis station to Mellunmäki. The continuation to the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport's terminal area would be implemented at a later stage. Otherwise, the route would mainly be implemented in accordance with the earlier plan.

As regards part of the journey, the light rail has been moved from the center to the edge of the street area, which helps to save more street and water-management structures. It is justified to implement some pedestrian and cycling routes, as well as sites related to improving the street area, at a later stage.

As a result of the developmental stage, a change is proposed to the project's total price. The final price would arise to €750 million, of which Vantaa's share of financing would be €540 million.

There are many reasons for the change in the total price. After the project plan approved in 2023, the general cost level in the infrastructure business has risen. This applies to the cost of both materials and labor. Extensive geotechnical inspections and measurements were carried out in the developmental stage, which have affected the scope of the ground-improvement solutions. We have better succeeded in estimating the work-related arrangements, as well as the risks and costs of especially long-term construction sites and big projects, including their project management.

- The alliance model ensures that the total price is expected to stay in line in the future since all the parties concerned are committed to it. In the alliance model, all parties will benefit, if the total price is lowered. Consequently, all the parties concerned will lose, if the price is exceeded, says Hannu Lehtikare, project director of Vantaa light rail.

Vantaa light rail has been prepared as an investment, and revenues are an important part of the overall estimate. The revenues were also an important criterium when Vantaa's City Council decided on building the light rail in 2023.

The revised revenues to the City of Vantaa from the light rail project, after investment costs, would rise to €60 million within the following forty years. The city's revenues consist of revenues from property economics, which include, among others, compensation for land use and lot-sales revenues. In addition, the city estimates that its tax revenues will increase. Helsinki Region Transport, HSL will pay infrastructure compensations for the light rail to the City of Vantaa.

Moreover, Vantaa expects to gain private-sector investments and benefits thanks to the light rail. These investments and benefits are not visible in the city's revenue calculations. The light rail provides private sector operators with long-term predictability for decisions, investments, and real-estate development.

Investing in the city's development and growth

- Vantaa of the future will not be borne by itself; the light rail translates into an investment into the city's development and growth. It opens the door to Vantaa of a new era, says mayor Pekka Timonen.

- The light rail is a significant enabler of growth. The aim is that by the year 2050, the population along the light-rail corridor will double and reach approximately 120,000 residents. Meanwhile, the number of jobs will exceed 82,000.

The light rail is meant to act as the generator of Vantaa's urban development. It will open a significant provision of lots for sustainable development, thanks to, among others, the areas freed up from Santarata. The disposition plan for the light rail contributes to directing real-estate development in Vantaa and meets the growing need for housing in the metropolitan area. The light rail will combine districts previously separated by large transportation corridors into a single urban structure.

Furthermore, the light rail is estimated to bolster Vantaa's overall attraction. It supports Vantaa's image as an urban, sustainable city, ready for the future. The light rail and the novel kind of light-rail city it will create will attract residents, investments, businesses, and services.

This article was updated on November 17, 2025.

We also recommend you

Keywords

Geotechnical fieldwork related to the Vantaa Light Rail project will begin in early November 2025 on Länsimäentie, in the areas of Vantaa and Helsinki opens in new window, links to another website

The Ratatie P1 park-and-ride facility will be closed at the end of October opens in new window, links to another website

Construction of the Vantaa Light Rail begins on 1 December 2025 between Kuninkaala and Mellunmäki - Invitation to a resident meeting opens in new window, links to another website

Construction of the Vantaa Light Rail begins on 1 December 2025 in Heidehof Park and continues east along Kyytitie opens in new window, links to another website

Construction of the Vantaa Light Rail to Begin on Tikkurilantie in December