# Finland-Sweden cross-border rail restoration > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20260823-finland-sweden-cross-border-rail-restoration > Updated: 2026-08-23T06:27:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. Finland and Sweden have restored direct passenger rail connectivity between Tornio and Haparanda, ending a 38-year hiatus for the service. The project involved a 37 million euro investment to modernize and electrify the Laurila–Tornio–Haparanda section, utilizing a dual-gauge bridge to allow modern trains to cross the border. Funding for the infrastructure upgrades was provided by the Finnish state, Swedish authorities, and the European Union through the Connecting Europe Facility. The restored service, which officially resumed on August 10, 2026, is operated by the Finnish state railway company VR and provides 28 weekly services. While freight transport had continued to use the border infrastructure, the resumption of passenger services enhances mobility between northern Finland and northern Sweden. Travelers from Oulu can now reach Haparanda in approximately 100 to 110 minutes, with options to transfer to the Swedish rail network for travel toward Stockholm. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-23: Finland and Sweden restore cross-border rail connection Finland and Sweden have restored passenger rail services between Oulu and Haparanda, ending a nearly 40-year hiatus in cross-border passenger travel. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/finland-and-sweden-restore-cross-border-rail-connection ### 2026-08-18: Finland and Sweden restore direct rail link between Tornio and Haparanda Finland and Sweden have restored direct passenger rail service between Tornio and Haparanda after 38 years, following a 37 million euro infrastructure upgrade. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/finland-and-sweden-restore-direct-rail-link-between-tornio-and-haparanda --- Cite as: Finland-Sweden cross-border rail restoration. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20260823-finland-sweden-cross-border-rail-restoration