Year: 2019 | Page 2 | Länsimetro

Summary of decisions by Länsimetro Oy’s Board of Directors on 19 September 2019

3.10.2019

A status report on the construction of the Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section was presented to the Board. Construction of the Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section is progressing in line with the project plan’s schedule and budget.

Länsimetro’s public image during Q1 and Q2 and the communication activities for the rest of the year were presented to the Board.

The next meeting will be held on 17 October 2019 at the Finnoo metro station.

Further information:
Olli Isotalo, Chairman of the Board of Länsimetro Oy, tel. +358 (0)50 593 3359
Ville Saksi, CEO, Länsimetro Oy, tel. +358 (0)40 823 2086
Media contacts: Satu Linkola, Communications Director, tel. +358 (0)46 877 3392

Construction of the Yläkartanonkuja technical shaft has begun

24.9.2019

Construction of the Yläkartanonkuja technical shaft has begun as part of Länsimetro’s Soukka metro station construction contract. When the metro is completed, the technical shaft will serve as the smoke extraction, pressure equalisation and ventilation system.

Construction of the shaft has begun with the excavation of the foundation, and rock drilling and bolting. The work will continue with concrete construction work, after which steel structures will be built inside the shaft. The final work will involve roof work and exterior cladding.

Due to the work site arrangements, the bicycle/pedestrian lane on the south side, in the Yläkartanontie direction, will be closed. Traffic will be diverted to the north side of Yläkartanontie (see map). Work in the area of the shaft, as well as the traffic arrangements, will last until the end of July 2021.

The construction work will be carried out from Monday to Friday, between 7.00 am and 6.00 pm.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the work.

Further information:

YIT–ARE consortium on-call phone line (24/7): +358 (0)40 829 7938
Länsimetro’s on-call phone line (Mon–Fri, 9 am to 3 pm): +358 (0)50 377 3700

Exceptional traffic arrangements on the Merivirta side of Länsimetro’s Kivenlahti construction contract

24.9.2019

Exceptional traffic arrangements on the Merivirta side of the Kivenlahti metro station can be expected from the week of 9 September until the week of 23 September (weeks 37–39). The changes are due to the connection of Seitsenmerenreitti’s water supply lines to the water and sewer lines situated under Merivirta.

Due to the changes, one of the driving lanes on the Merivirta side of the metro station is closed. The crosswalk with traffic lights has also been taken out of use, and a replacement crosswalk has been set up a bit further away.

The temporary traffic arrangements will be removed at the latest at the start of the week of 23 September (week 39). After that, parts of the road and bicycle/pedestrian path will be repaved with asphalt, causing only minor disturbances to traffic. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the work.

Further information:

On-call phone line, Skanska Infra Oy: +358 (0)50 402 3044
Länsimetro’s feedback line (Mon–Fri, 9 am to 3 pm): +358 (0)50 377 3700

Espoonlahti wins first Safest Metro Worksite competition of 2019 – “Safety work never ends”

20.9.2019

The first Safest Metro Worksite competition of 2019 has been won by Länsimetro’s Espoonlahti worksite, whose project management contractor is SRV.

Safest Metro Worksite is Länsimetro’s own work safety competition and the winner is selected from among the ongoing metro station contracts every six months.

“Of course it feels good to receive this recognition, but it’s important to remember that the award belongs to the entire worksite,” says Jonne Juutilainen, SRV’s OHS Manager for the Espoonlahti project.

Starting in 2019, new criteria have been used in the Safest Metro Worksite competition. Six areas are taken into account: the results of MVR/TR indicators, safety observations that lead to measures, near-miss situations, accidents, environmental damage and property damage.

“What’s new is the major role that safety observations play in the competition. By making safety observations, we try to prevent accidents. The observations also lead to issues being addressed – observations are reported in the electronic system and only safety observations that have been marked as taken care of are included in the competition results,” says Susanna Laukkanen, Länsimetro’s Risk and Safety Manager.

The Espoonlahti worksite gained the most points in the competition in terms of MVR and TR indicators. The Espoonlahti worksite also made the most safety observations that led to follow-up measures, altogether 314.

“At the entire SRV level, the goal is to make at least 25 safety observations at the worksite per month. We are also part of the Zero Accident Forum through SRV, the goal of which is to reach the zero-accident goal by 2020,” explains Juutilainen.

“It was great to see that the project management contract also focusses on safety and considers it to be important,” says Laukkanen.

“There’s always something to improve, however. Just because we won doesn’t mean that the safety work will end,” Juutilainen points out.

The Soukka worksite also did well in the competition – it made 263 safety observations during the competition period and no accidents leading to injury took place at the worksite during the period.

The second Safest Metro Worksite competition period for 2019 is from July to December.

*The MVR indicator is used for observing both safety issues that are in order and those in need of improvement. The TR indicator is a method for measuring the safety of building construction sites.

District heating routes to be built at Kivenlahti metro station: traffic arrangements in surrounding area

20.9.2019

The construction of district heating is starting up on the West Metro’s Kivenlahti contract, at the entrance to the metro station on Kivenlahdentie. The work will begin in the week starting on 23 September and it is expected to be completed by the end of October.

The district heating route will be dug underneath the pedestrian and bike path at the intersection of Lainepolku and Kivenlahdentie. The pedestrian and bike path will remain open during the work as ramps will be installed for the duration.

The work will be carried out by Fortum’s subcontractor, which will also take care of traffic arrangements while the work continues.

Further information:

On-call phone line, Skanska Infra Oy: +358 (0)50 402 3044
Länsimetro’s feedback line (Mon–Fri, 9 am to 3 pm): +358 (0) 50 377 3700

Summary of decisions by Länsimetro Oy’s Board of Directors on 22 August 2019

20.9.2019

The Board of Directors convened on 22 August 2019. The board meeting addressed the status report on the ownership of phase one, Ruoholahti–Matinkylä, and HKL’s maintenance status report. HKL reports to Länsimetro Oy on the use of the rail line and stations of the west metro section and related service and maintenance tasks as specified in the co-operation agreement.

The Board was presented a status report on the construction of the Matinkylä-Kivenlahti section. The Board was also presented the progress made in the construction of the Espoonlahti station. The project is progressing on schedule and within budget.

The Board was presented the identity of the future station to be constructed on the Matinkylä-Kivenlahti section and the art supporting its attractiveness. Art in various forms will be incorporated into the architecture of five stations.

The next meeting will be held on 19 September 2019.

West Metro bike tours stations in the summer – winner of social media contest drawn

20.9.2019

In the summer of 2019, the orange West Metro bike belonging to Länsimetro’s communications department toured metro stations that were already operating or still under construction. The bike took off halfway through June and continued to cruise around until mid-August.

The goal was to give residents the opportunity to ask about the metro’s construction face to face.

“We wanted to give residents the chance to ask about how the construction of the second phase is progressing. It was also nice to tour the West Metro worksites by bike, since our worksites extend from Matinkylä all the way to Kivenlahti,” says Länsimetro’s Communications Director Satu Linkola.

“The bike is perfect for the metro’s feeder traffic. The second phase includes more feeder points for bikes than cars,” Linkola adds.

A bike-related social media contest was also held. All you had to do was comment on one of Länsimetro’s social media channels on where you would like to see the West Metro bike or take a photo of the bike and publish it on Instagram.

We have drawn a winner: Henrik Fröberg from Espoo.

“I think it’s great that Länsimetro tours the worksites to tell us about the project and what’s to come,” says Fröberg.

Fröberg will receive a bag full of West Metro merchandise. In his comment he asked the West Metro bike to stop by Kaitaa and his wish came true in the summer.

In other comments, people asked the West Metro bike to make an appearance at, for instance, Otaniemi, Tapiola, Matinkylä and Länsimäki, and even Turku was requested in four separate comments.

Construction is full-steam ahead at Soukka – 80 per cent of the station’s concrete has been cast

19.9.2019

The construction contract for the Soukka station began in August 2018. Eighty per cent of the station’s concrete casting and element installations have now been completed. The contract involves casting close to 10,000 m³ of concrete and installing approximately 1,800 elements. Work on the station’s technical building services was started in June and included the installation of ventilation ducts, water and sewage pipes and sprinkler pipes.

The contract covers the construction of the Soukka metro station, its technical shafts, two entrances and a service tunnel from Soukanväylä to the station. The Soukantori entrance will have two storeys. Four side-by-side elevators will ensure smooth movement directly to the platform level. A second entrance will be situated on Yläkartanontie, with entry to the metro via escalators and an inclined elevator. The station will feature an art installation called “Sfäärit” (Spheres) by Taneli Rautiainen. The four elements of the art installation will be located vertically in different parts of the metro station, from the platform via the elevator shaft and to the Soukantori entrance.

Länsimetro’s modern metro system is made up of 52 different systems. The automation systems include, among other things, HVAC automation, building supervision, power supply monitoring, camera and PA systems and access control. HVAC systems include pumping stations, smoke extraction fans, station-specific ventilation and overpressure fans and a fire water protection system. Other metro systems are, for instance, safety systems, fire doors and commuter information systems.

This year, at all stations the work will switch from concrete casting to the installation of technical building services, with the installation of various other systems starting at the same time.

“Construction at the Soukka metro station is proceeding according to plan. In addition to concrete work, the installation of cable trays, heating and cooling pipes, water and sewage pipes, a fire-extinguishing system and ventilation ducts is currently taking place. One goal is to have the roof structures ready at both entrances this year,” says Janne Tuoma, Construction Manager for the Soukka station in the West Metro project.

The consortium of YIT and ARE serves as the project management contractor for the Soukka station.

“The number of employees is currently at around 140. The challenge is the fragmented worksite area. The work takes place in several different areas. The plan is to provide heating during construction by means of district heating in autumn 2019. District heating will provide cost-effective and environment-friendly heat while the construction work is being carried out,” states Tomi Bergius, head of HVAC and electricity for the YIT/ARE consortium.

In the Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section of the West Metro project, seven kilometres of rail line, five new stations, and an underground metro depot in Sammalvuori are being constructed. The number of subcontracts is 26, and the project is being headed by an integrated project organisation with experts from 20 different companies. When the project ends, the stations and the rail line, including the technical systems for these, will remain under the ownership of Länsimetro Oy.

The Soukka metro station will be completed in 2022. The full project is expected to be completed in 2023, when, after testing and regulatory inspections, the Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section will be handed over to the metro operator HKL. The project is progressing on schedule and within budget.

Further information:

Janne Tuoma, Construction Manager, West Metro project, tel. +358 50 341 7627

janne.tuoma(at)lansimetro.fi

Tomi Bergius, YIT/ARE consortium, head of HVAC and electricity, tel. +358 40 531 4931 tomi.bergius(at)are.fi

Conceptual drawing of the Soukka metro station:

Länsimetro Oy is tasked with the construction of the metro line from Ruoholahti to Kivenlahti. The Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section of the West Metro will consist of 7 kilometres of rail line and 5 stations. An underground metro depot will be constructed in Sammalvuori. In 2017, a 14-kilometre rail line from Ruoholahti to Matinkylä and eight new stations were completed. The stations and rail line on this section, including the technical systems, are owned by Länsimetro Oy. The section was handed over to the operator in October 2017. www.lansimetro.fi @metrorakentuu

Safety plans were appropriate in blasting operations that led to accident at Kivenlahti

7.8.2019

On 29 July at 9 am, rocks flew into nearby properties during the construction of water and sewage connections near the Kivenlahdentori metro station entrance. The rocks broke 13 windows in nearby properties. No one was injured in the incident. Fire water and household water pipelines and rainwater and wastewater sewer pipelines and their wells are being constructed for the city of Espoo, near the metro entrance. In addition, a new district heating pipeline is under construction. Despite the safety precautions taken during the open excavation, some rocks hurtled into the nearby properties.

-The safety plan for the excavation work was drawn up appropriately. The individual performing the blasting operation had been familiarised with the work site and had the legal qualifications required to perform the work, and this was verified prior to the work being started. An investigation by authorities to determine the cause of the accident has been initiated but is not yet complete. Skanska is assisting the authorities in determining what caused the accident. The damage to the nearby properties will, of course, be repaired,” says Regional Director Pekka Räsänen of Skanska Infra, the contractor at the work site. “This type of accident is very rare in blasting work,he adds.

The company that carried out the blasting operation was a subcontractor of Skanska.

Excavation work is subject to strict liability. The excavation contractor is always liable for their own work. Excavation work is carried out in compliance with the Council of State Ordinance concerning safety during blasting and excavation operations and the Government Decree on the Safety of Construction Work. Every blasting operation is planned in advance. Excavation work is always performed by an individual who holds the qualification of blaster. A security guard is present during blasting to prevent anyone from entering the area and the vicinity. Warning sirens are also used in excavation operations. In open excavation, blasting mats are used to prevent rocks from flying into the surrounding environment. The force of each blast is recorded in a vibration meter.

-The West Metro will be the world’s safest metro. The safety of the employees working on the project and the area surrounding the work site is also a priority for us. We demand strict compliance with laws and guidelines from everyone working on Länsimetro’s work sites. We are one of the largest developers in Finland, and we aim to promote a strong culture of occupational health and safety in the construction industry, stresses Länsimetro Oy’s CEO, Ville Saksi.

Blasting on the work site was completed last week. Concrete and reinforcement work as well as technical building services work is currently under way at the Kivenlahti metro station. The construction work is moving forward normally. Excavation work on the West Metro’s stations and tunnels ended in 2018.

Further information:

Ville Saksi, CEO, Länsimetro Oy, tel. +358 (0)40 823 2086, ville.saksi(at)lansimetro.fi

Pekka Räsänen, Regional Director, Skanska Infra Oy, tel. +358 (0)40 574 6582, pekka.rasanen(at)skanska.fi

Trench excavation at Seitsenmerenreitti in Kivenlahti completed

1.8.2019

The trench excavations that were part of Länsimetro’s Kivenlahti construction contract have reached completion.

The reason for the excavation is because of the construction of water and sewer lines on Seitsenmerenreitti. They are related to both the Kivenlahti metro station’s water and sewer connections and to the public utility lines to be constructed for the City of Espoo. Fire water and household water pipelines and rainwater and wastewater sewer pipelines and their wells are being constructed for the city. In addition, a new district heating pipeline is under construction.

Work on water and sewer connections and district heating for the Kivenlahti metro station and public utility work for the City of Espoo will be completed by the end of October.

We apologise for any inconvenience that the work may cause.

Further information:

On-call phone line, Skanska Infra Oy: +358 (0)50 402 3044
Länsimetro’s feedback line (Mon–Fri, 9 am to 3 pm): +358 (0) 50 377 3700