Foto: Karl Jacobson
The current Finnish government presented its program in June this year. It states that Sweden and Norway are looking for investment opportunities within the EU and NATO to improve logistical connections in northern Scandinavia. The Finnish government specifically writes: "A study will be carried out on a fixed link across Kvarken (Vaasa-Umeå)," as reported by VK.
Hans Lindberg (S), municipal commissioner in Umeå, sees the Finnish government's message as crucial.
– Right now, the most important thing that has happened is that the Finnish government is focusing on the issue. We've been talking about a fixed link for a long time, but now it's no longer science fiction, says Lindberg.
The Kvarken Council (Kvarkenrådet) was founded in 1972. The council created an organization that anchored cooperation between municipalities, authorities and organizations. At the turn of the millennium, the Kvarkenrådet became a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) within the EU. This status has given the region new opportunities for cross-border cooperation projects.
– In this cooperation, we have managed to build the world's most environmentally friendly ferry, adds Lindberg, chairman of the Kvarken Council's Transport and Infrastructure Group.
Developments in many areas have led to increased cooperation. This includes exchange and cooperation in the development of wind farms, gas pipelines, investments in battery factories, the labor market, education and joint communication. With the Finnish government's announcement, the fixed link immediately becomes a priority task, directly linked to other common challenges.
Lindberg describes it as a shift in geographical direction. The Kvarken region connects one million inhabitants. A link across Kvarken also connects down to Europe and up to the Barents Sea. From there it is now possible to continue to Asia.
– Our development is moving in an east-west direction. We have to get used to the fact that development is east-west instead of north-south, says Lindberg.
Russia's war against Ukraine and the deteriorating security situation have intensified this development. The entire Russian border is closed to the Nordic and Baltic countries. The roads to the ice-free ports in Norway will be a high priority to maintain the competitiveness of industry and the defense capability to protect the region. This accelerates the need for a fixed link across Kvarken.
– The deteriorating security situation in Europe is a strong motive for a fixed link across Kvarken, says Lindberg.
There are already several proposals on how the link could be realized. All are based on a combination of bridges, causeways and tunnels. One option on the Swedish side has the bridge anchored in Ostnäs and connected to the E4. Another option is to connect the bridge to the E12 at Holmsund. Lindberg notes that the municipality would like the bridge on the Swedish side to connect to the E12 at Holmsund port.
– In the proposal for the new master plan for Holmsund and the port of Umeå, there should be flexibility for a possible future fixed connection to Vaasa, says Lindberg.