We received a notice that a survey will be done of our home. What does this mean? Why is this survey being done?
During the survey the surveyor appointed by Länsimetro will visit visit residences together with the Building Superintendent/Maintenance Supervisor with the objective of mapping the structure and condition of the building and documenting property. Any ‛sensitive' equipment on the property will be protected. Normal items of sensitive equipment found in the home are desktop computers with hard drives, conversely, portable (notebook) computers, video projectors or digital set-top boxes with recording capability do not require separate protection. Not all sensitive equipment can necessarily be protected in connection with the initial survey. In this case, a new visit is agreed at the site, or the resident receives protective ‘paws' which are easy to place underneath the equipment. Once the construction project is complete and any resulting damage is recorded, a final survey is performed at all sites. Länsimetro is responsible for the compensation of any and all damage to property caused by their excavation work.
At what times will blasting take place?
Excavation causing noise will be carried out only on weekdays (Mon-Fri) at times restricted as follows:
7 a.m. - 10 p.m. drilling work (after 6 p.m. the noise level is not permitted to exceed 40 dB)
7 a.m. - 10 p.m. blasting
More exact times will be reported before starting work on our Construction page.
Will the metro construction cause noise pollution under our house in Lauttasaari on Meripuistotie? The tunnel will travel directly under our house.
The construction of the metro tunnel will cause some noise. The aim is to time the work and measure the techniques employed so as not to cause unreasonable disturbance to the residents.
Area of the Lauttasaari metro station: The metro worksite at the shopping centre will be on the island's busiest spot, which is already in complete gridlock thanks to deliveries and other traffic! Worksite traffic with lorries transporting rock will simply not fit in the area of the shopping centre.
Traffic arrangements in and around the worksite will be organised with a view to causing as little disruption as possible to other traffic. A similarly challenging recent project was the construction of the Kamppi area, where a great degree of success was achieved, even though the rock from the worksite was transported from an area which is even more congested than Lauttasaari.
If Niittymaa station is constructed according to the more northern alternative it will likely go through Tontunmäki and will possible pass directly under our house. Will the tunnel have an impact on the bedrock and on the foundations of the house, resulting in cracks and vibration? Our house is old and built on the rock.
The techniques to be employed will be selected so that no damage is caused to existing buildings. The condition of the building stock will be surveyed before work is begun. Should any damage be sustained by buildings, the constructor will be liable to repair such damages. The elimination of the vibration and noise caused by the trains is one of the guiding design principles.
Whose insurance will cover damages in private residences resulting from the blasting? For example, a heavy vase falls on the floor and dents the floor, etc. Does the contractor have insurance for such events, or should residents make sure their home insurance is up-to-date? My other question is: will it be possible to hear or feel the metro trains in a house located directly above the metro tunnel?
Any unfortunate events, such as a vase falling on the floor and breaking, will always be handled on a case-by-case basis. Excavation and blasting work will be closely monitored; any damages resulting from these can be identified. It is nevertheless recommended to keep your home insurance up-to-date, as your insurance company may reclaim any damages compensated from the contractor where necessary.
The track structures will include features for damping noise; damping will be complemented in steep curves with acoustic structures on the ceiling and walls. Vibration during the trains' operation will be minor. The tracks will be welded together, lying on a platform of crushed stone, ensuring extremely smooth train operation.
In Lauttasaari the metro tunnel will pass under the block of flats at the address Lauttasaarentie 20-22. How deep underground will the tunnel be there? And how powerful will the blasts be, will it be possible to sense the blasts on the second floor of the block of flats? Will they cause vibration? What if something happens to the foundations of the building because of the blasting; whose insurance will cover possible damages? What kind of insurance does the metro constructor have?
In Lauttasaari the metro tunnel will travel at a depth of 20-30 metres. The ceiling of the tunnel at Lauttasaarentie 20-22 is likely to be at a depth of around 22-23 metres at its highest and around 28 metres at its lowest. There will be around three blastings per day. The tunnel will advance approximately 250 metres per month. The nearer the building the blasts take place, the more powerful they will appear. The charges will be measured so as not to cause damage to buildings.
Before work is begun, all properties along the route will be surveyed in order to ensure the appropriate and expedient repairing of any damages resulting from blasting. According to the contract, the contractors are liable to repair any damages caused to properties by the blasting, as the charges used must be measured so as not to cause damage to properties. Contractors are also required to have sufficient insurance.