News | Page 14 | Länsimetro

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.

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

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

Open excavation accident at Kivenlahti causes 13 windows to break

30.7.2019

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. 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 excavation of the pipeline trenches, some rocks hurtled into the nearby properties.

In a residential building located three metres away from the open excavation area, a total of five windowpanes broke in windows or balconies. In a partially empty commercial building next door, and 25 metres from the construction site, eight windowpanes broke. The contractor has met with the residents and agreed on repairs. The repair of the windows in the commercial building will be agreed on with the building’s manager.

Before the open excavation, passage to the area was restricted. During blasting, the security guard does not allow anyone to enter the area. In open excavation, areas to be blasted are carefully covered with blasting mats. In this case, too, blasting mats were in place. Despite the precautions taken, some rocks blasted out from under the mats.

When the accident happened, the contractor immediately isolated the area, ensured that no one was injured and contacted the residents. An investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing.

Concrete and reinforcement work is under way at the Kivenlahti metro station, and work on the technical building services has also begun. The accident will not affect the construction work. Excavation of the pipeline trenches continues today, in line with the original plan.

Further information:

Länsimetro’s feedback line (Mon–Fri, 9 am to 3 pm): +358 (0) 50 377 3700

Loud sawing work in Matinkylä metro’s service tunnel from 17–19 July 2019

17.7.2019

Diamond sawing work will be carried out in the Matinkylä service tunnel from 17–19 July 2019. The work is connected to the construction of the Tynnyripuisto area.

The work will take place between 7.00 am and 4.00 pm. The noise caused by the diamond sawing may carry all the way to the metro platform.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the construction work.

Further information:

Mikko Raisio, Site Manager, YIT: +358 (0)50 3305503, mikko.raisio(at)yit.fi
Länsimetro’s feedback line (Mon–Fri, 9 am to 3 pm): +358 (0)50 377 3700

Technical construction work supervisor works in the office and the tunnel

17.7.2019

Sami Toivola, Bachelor of Construction Management, has started as supervisor of technical construction work at the West Metro’s Kivenlahti station. The supervisor’s work includes, for instance, inspecting reinforcements and various installations, as well as supervising and signing off on work samples. Toivola also takes part in various meetings related to the contract’s procurements, construction, scheduling and costs, to name a few.

“In addition to working in the office, I visit the work site every day,” says Toivola, who has worked at Kivenlahti for a month now.

Toivola has extensive experience in the construction industry, most recently having worked for AKR Betoni Oy. He has also worked at SRV, Lemminkäinen and Consti Julkisivu Oy. His background covers residential and industrial construction, as well as renovations.

“When the opportunity to join the metro construction project came up, I was definitely interested, because this is a major and long-term project. I also happen to live right near phase two of the metro project, which is currently under construction,” he says.

Structural work on the station is under way right now in the Kivenlahti contract, and it includes a great deal of concrete construction. Toivola holds a qualification in exceptionally demanding concrete construction from Suomen Betoniyhdistys ry (Concrete Association of Finland), something that is necessary when it comes to supervising the metro’s structural construction work. In addition, work on the technical building services has already been started in the metro station’s basement level.

“The electricity and HVAC contracts have their own supervisors, but naturally we work together a lot,” says Toivola.

Saturday work at Kivenlahti during summer; all-day concrete casting to take place on 17 July

17.7.2019

From July until the end of September, work on Länsimetro’s Kivenlahti construction contract will also take place on Saturdays between 9.00 am and 6.00 pm. Construction work will take place in both the underground tunnel and aboveground, at both entrances, on Saturdays. From Monday to Friday, the construction work will be limited to between 7.00 am and 6.00 pm.

Work will be performed on Saturdays in order to efficiently pace the work stages. On Saturdays, only non-noisy work stages – such as reinforcement work, formwork and joint sealing – will be carried out. Drilling and excavation work will not be performed on weekends.

In addition, on Wednesday, 17 July, a large wall be cast at the Kivenlahdentori entrance, and the work will end at 10.00 pm. Unfortunately, the work cannot be interrupted earlier, due to the size of the structure to be cast. The casting work will not cause considerable noise to the surrounding environment.

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

Trench excavation during week of 22 July for the Kivenlahti metro station construction project

10.7.2019

Trench excavation will begin during the week of 22 July at Seitsenmerenreitti as part of Länsimetro’s Kivenlahti construction project. The excavation work will last a total of one week.

The reason for the trench excavation is because of the planned 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 that are to be constructed for the City of Espoo. Fire water and household water pipelines and rainwater and wastewater sewer pipelines and their wells will be constructed for the city. In addition, a new district heating pipeline will be built.

The work will take place on Seitsenmerenreitti, in the immediate vicinity of the Kivenlahdentori entrance, on the aboveground sections of the work site. The excavation will take place during the week between 7 am–6 pm.

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