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Finland to construct second track of Helsinki-Moscow high-speed railway

Allegro express trains started commuting between St. Petersburg and Helsinki in December of 2010

ST. PETERSBURG, March 29 (Itar-Tass) — Finland plans to start in 2016 construction of the second track of the high-speed railway from Helsinki to St. Petersburg, which will be used for cargo transportation, Finland's Minister of Economic Affairs Mr. Jyri Hakamies said during a meeting with St. Petersburg’s Governor Georgy Poltavchenko on Thursday.

“We should develop and improve the railroad communication between Russia and Finland. Now, the road is used at 100 percent of its capacity, and as yet there is no opportunity to add trains, as only one track is built yet,” Hakamies said. The minister told about Finland’s plans to start in 2016 construction of the second track, which “could be reserved for industrial transportation.” He added the issue is becoming especially important due to Russia’ sjoining the WTO and due to expected growth of cargo transportation.

Allegro express trains started commuting between St. Petersburg and Helsinki in December of 2010. As their speed may reach 220 kilometres per hour, the time en route reduced to three and a half hours.

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