Helsinki and Tallinn will be connected via an undersea rail tunnel

Finland and Estonia signed a memorandum of understanding on 26 April

Currently, the capitals of Finland and Estonia are two-hours apart via a ferry journey. Now, Helsinki and Tallinn are closer to being linked by an undersea rail tunnel.

On Monday 26 April, Finland's Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka and Estonia's Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Taavi Aas signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the transport sector. This memorandum is seen as a significant step towards the development and construction of the Helsinki-Tallinn rail tunnel.

Economic growth

This tunnel will reportedly be 103 kilometres long and it will connect the airports of the two capitals. What is more, the long-scale transport project is expected to result in significant economic growth for both cities and countries.

Peter Vesterbacka, the founder and executive chairman of the development company which is leading this project, spoke to Euronews and explained: “We are building four station areas and those will accommodate 50,000 people living, working, and studying in each one […] This is all part of the FinEst Bay Area Development, attracting more startup entrepreneurs from all over the planet to come here to Helsinki and Tallinn. They’ll be the next big thing.”

In a press release by the Finnish government, Harakka and Aas expressed their satisfaction with the aforementioned memorandum of understanding. More specifically, Harakka shared: "Our countries and capitals are located in the same EU core network corridors that will soon be expanded. In order to take advantage of the opportunities this will bring, it is wise to develop our transport systems in good cooperation and on the basis of close exchange of information."

The connection of the two capitals will boost tourism and create job opportunities. It is hoped that the Helsinki-Tallinn tunnel will be completed by December 2024.