The beginning of the construction on the metro line from Matinkylä to Kivenlahti was celebrated today at the Finnoo access tunnel worksite in Espoo. Work has started with the construction of access tunnels close to the future stations and at the underground metro depot in Sammalvuori. Access tunnels are initial access routes excavated into the rock from the construction site to the actual rail line. The excavation of the metro tunnels and stations can begin after the excavation of the access tunnels.
– Extensive infrastructure projects are significant for employment in the current economic situation, stated Antti Rinne, Minister of Finance, in his speech at the event.
Jussi Pajunen, the Mayor of Helsinki, emphasised the cooperation between the cities.
– It is great to see that the smooth cooperation between Helsinki and Espoo continues in the metro project. The metro is an important public transport project for the whole metropolitan area, emphasised Pajunen.
The Chairman of the Board of Länsimetro, Olavi Louko, who is the Head of Technical and Environment Services in Espoo, pointed out in his speech that the construction does not only concern the metro, but also the possibilities that the metro will offer in the future.
– We are not only constructing a metro, but a new closer urban structure that enables the creation of new jobs, housing construction and the development of services.
The contractor’s representative at the event was Minna Heinonen, Executive Vice President at Destia Oy.
– Safety is our top priority. The objective at this worksite, as at all other worksites, is zero accidents.
The seven-kilometre Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section of the underground line will include five new stations: Finnoo, Kaitaa, Soukka, Espoonlahti and Kivenlahti. In addition, an underground metro depot will be constructed at Sammalvuori.
The entire line from Matinkylä to Kivenlahti will be completed in 2020 at the earliest. The Ruoholahti–Matinkylä section of the line will be completed in late 2015 and will be open for traffic in the autumn of 2016.
Further information:
Länsimetro Oy, CEO Matti Kokkinen, tel. +358 50 347 1558, matti.kokkinen(at)lansimetro.fi
Länsimetro Oy is a company jointly owned by the Cities of Espoo and Helsinki, tasked with building the West Metro underground metroline. The aim is to complete construction of the Ruoholahti–Matinkylä section by the end of 2015. Construction of the Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section is under way. The section will be completed in 2020 at the earliest.