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Finland looks to light rail:
With the Helsinki tramway system modernising and expanding, Finland's
second and third cities have staked their claim for funding for light
rail in the run-up to the country's March elections.
Tampere (city population 195 000, regional population 295 000) has a
consultants study recommending four dual-mode tram-train lines
connecting towns to the west and east and suburbs to the west and south
with the city centre in a 56.7-km network that would involve 37 km of
running on existing rail lines, 16.9 km of new suburban tramway and a
2.7-km city centre subway. The EUR 342 million scheme would involve
dual-system (25kV ac/750 V dc) LRVs built to 1524-mm gauge, and the
first phase could be completed by 2008.
Turku (city population 173 000, regional population 290 000) is
recommending a 42-km light rail system estimated to cost EUR 321
million. The LRVs would be to 1524-mm gauge to permit use of 3 km of
local rail tracks, which would be electrified at 750 V dc to match the
rest of the system. Local municipalities are supporting the project,
which could qualify for some EU funding.
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20 January 2003
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