A joint vision – and a description how to reach it together.
The cross-border E12 Atlantica Transport project is in the final straight and has, during its course, further improved what was already one of the most advanced cooperations in the Nordic countries – that involving the E12 transport route.
The E12 Atlantica Transport Interreg-project, financed through the Botnia Atlantica programme, will reach its apex during a two-day final conference in Vaasa, Finland on 14th-15th March, 2018. The project aims at reducing border barriers in the east-west transport route and to develop cooperation between the actors along the E12 corridor which runs from Finland through Sweden to the Atlantic coast in Norway. And this is something that the project has also succeeded with, according to Mr Andreas Forsgren, project manager at the City of Umeå in Sweden.
The final conference presents results which aim to reinforce collaboration, reduce border barriers and further develop the E12 east-west transport corridor. Private and public, Nordic and international participants will learn about the project’s achievements which makes it possible to take the next step in cross-border cooperation. We will discuss future challenges and priorities for one of Europe’s most advanced international partnerships and the road towards our vision – a borderless transport system from east to west, for everyone, explains Andreas Forsgren, who is very pleased with the project outcome.
We have come a long way. Just now, we are going through a hectic period with all the results being put together for final reporting – and we have a lot to report, which feels very nice, he explains.
A good and functional transport system is an important part of an attractive region. Competitive solutions provide good circumstances for business and growth which, in turn, generate investments. Employment is stimulated and regional attractiveness improved, both with respect to business life, residence and tourism. Further, good transport conditions contribute to improved exchange in culture, education, health care and logistics – and also at the social level between people.
The system analysis completed when the project started, forms a knowledge database which increases the understanding of the region’s transport needs, and it has laid the foundation for a long-term joint traffic strategy. As we now stand united behind our shared priorities, it gives more substance for the region which, in turn, gives advantages in sharp competition for regional, national and international investment capital. In the end, it is policymakers and – first and foremost – traffic authorities in the three countries who are the target group for the priorities of the traffic strategy, Andreas explains.
The most important new investments for the E12 region, as prioritised in the traffic strategy, include the sustainable ferry crossing across the Kvarken Strait between Finland and Sweden, an airport in the Mo i Rana region in Norway and the electrification – and in the long run, also extension – of the Swedish Tvärbanan railway line.
Also a number of other, smaller investments and proposals for future development projects are included, Andreas adds.
The strategy is targeted towards the year 2040 and constitutes a joint steering document which, according to Andreas, is unique in Europe.
We are a long way ahead regarding collaboration in an international perspective – which is something that we have been building up together since we joined the European Union in 1995.
The project will also propose a new collaboration platform to improve the possibilities for development.
The expertise of the partnership has reached a new level through E12 Atlantica Transport, and a new platform for collaboration offers further opportunities to create sustainable long-term cross-border collaboration, Andreas says, and refers with this to EGTC, i.e. European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation, which can facilitate cross-border cooperation.
The conference ”A Borderless Future” presents results which aim to reinforce collaboration, reduce border barriers and further develop the E12 east-west transport corridor. Private and public, Nordic and international participants will learn about the project’s achievements which make it possible to take the next step in cross-border cooperation. We will discuss future challenges and priorities for one of Europe’s most advanced international partnerships and the road towards our vision – a borderless transport system from east to west, for everyone!
Projectleaders Jenny Kjemphei Larsen (Norway), Andreas Forsgren (Sweden), Anna Måtts-Fransén (Finland) and Pekka Mäkinen (Finland).
The E12 Atlantica Transport project results were presented in Vaasa, Finland on 14th–15th March, 2018. The audience of over 100 participants showed a great interest and commitment during the conference.
Text och foto: Anna Sand
E12 Atlantica Transport – Ett samarbete mellan partners i Finland, Sverige och Norge längs E12-korridoren, som fokuserar på en funktionell transportrutt för gods och passagerare, gemensamma infrastrukturstrategier för gränsöverskridande planering och framtida samarbetsformer.
E12 Atlantica Transport partner
Kvarkenrådet (Lead Part, FI), MidtSkandia (NO), Blå Vägen (SE) Region Västerbotten (SE), Österbottens förbund (FI), Nordland fylkeskommune (NO), Vasaregionens Utveckling AB VASEK (FI), Umeå kommun (SE), Vännäs kommun (SE), Vindelns kommun (SE), Lycksele kommun (SE), Storumans kommun (SE), Infrastruktur i Umeå AB INAB (SE), Rana Utviklingsselskap AS (NO), Rana kommun (NO), Polarcirkeln lyfthavnsutvikling (NO), Mo i Rana Havn (NO), Mo Industripark AS (NO), Alstahaug havnevesen KF (NO), Helgeland Havn IKS (NO)