Newly appointed minister visits road project in Neiden

Neiden, Norway, has long been a meeting place for people and communities across national borders.

The area is gaining renewed importance as Norway, Finland and Sweden strengthen cooperation in response to the changed geopolitical situation. This is also an important backdrop to the work of Platform North.

A small project with wider significance

Norway’s Minister of Transport, Kamzy Gunaratnam, recently visited Finnmark for the first time since taking office in September. One of her stops was the upgrade of National Road 92 (rv. 92) in Neiden, an important route between Norway and Finland.

“Good cross-border transport links are becoming increasingly important for preparedness, security and cooperation in the north. By strengthening the connections between Norway, Finland and Sweden, we are also strengthening our ability to work together when it matters. The upgrade here in Neiden is one practical example of that broader effort,” says Minister of Transport Kamzy Gunaratnam.

“We are pleased that the Minister came to see the upgrade of rv. 92 in Neiden, on the route to Finland. Although this is a relatively small project, funded through the operations and maintenance budget, it shows that this type of funding can also deliver effective improvements,” says Oddbjørg Mikkelsen, Director of Operations and Maintenance North, at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.

Stronger links across the northern border

The Neiden upgrade is one of several projects intended to strengthen cross-border connections in the north.

“Several other important projects are either being planned or are already under construction. Together, they will strengthen our connections with neighbouring Finland here in the north,” says Mikkelsen.

Projects planned or under construction include a new bridge at Karigasniemi, improvements to rv. 92 between Gievdneguoika and the Finnish border, the E45 Kløfta project and the E6 Høybuktmoen–Hesseng project. All are included in Norway’s National Transport Plan.

Together, these projects will help make the northern transport system more robust and better connected. They also support Platform North’s work to improve cross-border mobility, preparedness and cooperation across the Northern Nordics.