Länsimetro Oy’s task is to build, own, maintain and develop the West Metro system, tracks and stations from Ruoholahti westwards. As the metro system and infrastructure owner, Länsimetro Oy’s task is to ensure that the West Metro’s metro system and its stations provide a safe commuting environment throughout their lifecycle. The transport operator and developer of the rail section and stations from Ruoholahti eastward is the nowadays Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd.
As the developer, Länsimetro Oy has been responsible for the overall construction in accordance with the project plan, first from Ruoholahti to Matinkylä, and is responsible for the second phase of construction, from Matinkylä to Kivenlahti.
The project works in the ‘big room’
An integrated project organisation that binds all parties has been established for the project; all of the project organisation’s approximately 120 experts work in Matinkylä, Espoo, under the ‘big room’ principle. The project adopted the big room concept in June 2017. Länsimetro Oy, its consultants and other parties involved in the project all work under the same roof. The public authorities, such as city representatives and Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd, have been provided with dedicated work stations, which improves the flow of information between the partners. The big room operating model is both a physical space and a way of working.
In the big room, communication is direct and fast. Interactive work supports the achievement of common goals, since opinions can be exchanged flexibly and problems solved more quickly. In autumn 2018, the operating model was granted the Project of the Year award by Project Management Association Finland. Watch a video on Länsimetro’s Big Room
The second phase of the West Metro project, Matinkylä–Kivenlahti, involves the construction of seven kilometres of rail line and five new stations, and the construction of an underground metro depot in Sammalvuori. Just like phase one, the rail line, stations, depot and metro system will remain under Länsimetro Oy’s ownership. When the project is completed, Länsimetro Oy will be responsible for approximately 2.5 billion euros worth of infrastructure assets. The West Metro project is responsible for ensuring that the rail section, stations and depot are completed on schedule and remain within the cost estimate. Every station and rail line has been assigned its own project management contractor. The Sammalvuori depot is being built by a consortium.
Decision-making on the project
The highest decision-making body in the West Metro project is the company’s Board. The Board is responsible for the construction of the West Metro and supports the work of the CEO. The Board works on the basis of long-term goals; the focus is on the next 1-2 years of operations. Board members are chosen by the owners, i.e. the cities of Helsinki and Espoo.
Matters are prepared for consideration by the Board by a steering group responsible for directing the project. The steering group considers issues over a time span of 6 months to 1 year.
The management team, which is led by the CEO, maintains a situational picture of the project, sets the general direction of operations and takes major decisions. The focus of the management team is 2 to 6 months ahead.
Led by the project manager, the project team is in charge of daily activities and decision-making on the project, as well as the preparation of decisions. Its tasks also include the co-ordination and overall management of work. The project team looks 0 to 2 months ahead.
A design team, construction team and technical team work under the project team. As their names suggest, the design team leads design, the construction team manages construction and the technical team heads the implementation of technical systems. All of the teams are responsible for the co-ordination and overall management of tasks belonging to their areas of responsibility.
The site organisation for each station and rail line weighs up the situation at its own site at regular intervals, e.g. in worksite meetings, planning reviews and project status reviews.
Ownership
Länsimetro is jointly owned by the City of Helsinki and the City of Espoo. The cities have agreed on a mutual distribution of costs along the city limit, under the principle that each party meets the construction costs related to its own area. The costs are divided such that Espoo’s share is roughly 85 per cent and Helsinki’s share is 15 per cent.
Goals
The aim of the project is to build a metro that brings convenience to the everyday lives of passengers. A clear route and frequent services ensure that there is no need to keep glancing at a timetable. The metro is a reliable mode of transport that will take you to your destination quickly. The stations are located where people live, work and play, close to services.
The intention is for the metro investment to pay for itself. As an investment, it is profitable, high-quality and long-lasting. Innovative solutions in construction are being sought, and at the same time, construction will stimulate growth in Finland.
Phase two of the project is being built together. Information must flow openly in all directions. Good work is rewarded based on the joint objective of getting the metro ready on time.
The metro is being built responsibly and safely. Occupational safety is an everyday priority, and the reliability and safety of the metro is first class, even by international standards. Responsibility also means accountability towards the taxpayer; we need to stick to the schedule and budget, and communication must be open and transparent.