Finland Times

 

 

The transport policy decisions ensuing from the spending limits would have an adverse effect on the condition of transport routes as the government has decided to reduce transport infrastructure funding by EUR 100 million annually.

 

The government on Thursday agreed on the central government spending limits and the general government fiscal plan for 2015-2018, said an official press release.

 

According to policy proposals in the Transport Policy Report adopted in 2012, a sum of EUR 100 million was to be transferred from infrastructure investments to minor transport network investment and maintenance projects from 2016, but this transfer will now not take place. In 2015, there will be a direct cut of EUR 100 million in funding for basic transport route maintenance.

 

The appropriations for outsourcing and developing public transport services will be cut by EUR 5 million a year, and there will be a reduction of EUR 2 million a year in discretionary government transfers for maintaining private roads.

 

Any transport projects scheduled for this government’s term, but not yet initiated will go ahead as agreed in accordance with the programming and spending limit decisions made last year.

 

The government will launch preparations for implementing the Pisara railway and the associated funding model, as well as negotiations on funding shares.

 

Malmi airport area will be reallocated to housing use. Government activities in this area will be winded up as soon as possible, and at the latest by 2020.

 

Transport infrastructure projects will be allocated EUR 20 million in 2014 and EUR 30 million in 2015 for one-off investments aimed at strengthening the transport infrastructure most critical for employment and growth. 

 

The building of Main Road 6 will be brought forward and launched in 2014.

 

A total of EUR 30 million will be allocated to media innovation support in 2014-2016 to promote the sector's adaptation to the digital breakthrough.

 

No index-linked adjustment will be made in the funding of the Finnish Broadcasting Company in 2015. This policy was formulated by the parliamentary group chairpersons on March 21, 2014.