More than €30 million to be allocated for infrastructure projects in Paltamo, Finland
Infrastructure projects worth more than €30 million will continue and be planned in the coming years in the municipality of Paltamo, Finland. The work covers the expansion of a roundwood terminal, railway infrastructure, road connections, bridges and a route for light traffic.
As YLE News reports, one of the key projects is the expansion of the roundwood terminal near Kontiomäki station. The existing roundwood storage area covers 4.5 hectares, and it is planned to be expanded by another 1.5 hectares.
Terminal in Kontiomäki
As part of the project, the track on the terminal site will be extended and road connections will be improved. Väylävirasto project manager Vesa Pakarinen said that trains will be able to depart from the new track with electric locomotives directly towards Oulu and other destinations.
The cost of the terminal expansion is estimated at €10 million. According to Pakarinen, the facility is expected to be ready for operation in 2028, and its launch will mean increased rail traffic and truck traffic in Kontiomäki and beyond.
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Tracks, bridges and road connections
Kontiomäki is a junction where five railway routes intersect. The tracks run through Kajaani to Finland's capital and Oulu, as well as towards Suomussalmi and the Vartius border crossing point. Before the border was closed, freight was also transported along this route from Russia.
There are also plans to improve the railway line between Iisalmi and Kontiomäki and to further develop the track between Kontiomäki and Vuokatti. A route for light traffic is to be built in Kontiomäki in the southern direction.
Planning is underway in Paltamo to replace the railway bridge over the Kiehimäjoki River. Nearby, the design of an upgrade to the road bridge on National Road No. 22 is planned to begin. Both structures are expected to become larger after the upgrade.
