The first contractor for the second phase of the West Metro has been selected. The contract for construction of the rail line was won by Graniittirakennus Oy. The total contract price is EUR 58.5 million.
The rail line contract will involve the construction of 17.5 kilometres of railway line, seven shafts and 32 connecting tunnels. The shafts will be built at intervals of approximately 600m in holes excavated on the surface, for the purposes of ventilation, smoke extraction and pressure equalisation. The shafts will also be used as emergency exits. The works also include the construction of the connecting tunnel structures and their fire barriers. The connecting tunnels will interconnect the two parallel tunnels and ensure the safety of the metro in emergency situations. The connecting tunnels will be around 150–170 metres apart.
In addition, a total of 2,800 exit shaft units will be installed in each tunnel. The cover of each exit shaft unit will also serves as an emergency exit from the subway. The units will be fitted with e.g. 216 kilometres of cable troughs, almost 17 kilometres of drainage pipes and 16 kilometres of stormwater pipes.
The rail line will extend from Matinkylä to Kivenlahti in the west and the construction will be highly challenging in logistical terms.
“The core competencies of the GRK Group include the implementation of challenging infrastructural projects, project management of large projects, and extensive track-building expertise. The opportunity presented by this contract for the broad use of our strengths makes the project particularly interesting and meaningful for us. Excellent cooperation and interactive skills will be needed in addition to the technical know-how and coordination skills required for the project’s successful completion. These are also highlighted in the project management contract selected as the contract type,” says Teemu Lantto, CEO of GRK.
All of the tenders for the construction of the five stations have been published and the contractors will be selected by the autumn. For example, separate tenders will be made for the rail tracks and blocks, and for the safety and operational systems of the Metro. The project will have a total of 24 subcontracts. The underground metro depot at Sammalavuori has already progressed to the construction stage.
“Cooperation between various actors is highlighted in this major project. Each contract will cover the construction of a entire shopping mall or industrial plant. We will also build five stations, a rail line and depot simultaneously. The ability to cooperate with a range of players during the contract will be particularly important as the work extends from Matinkylä to Kivenlahti,” says Ville Saksi, CEO of Länsimetro Oy.
In March 2018, the City of Espoo reviewed its project plan for the second phase from 2012. The revised cost estimate for the entire project is EUR 1,159 million. The goal is that the seven-kilometre rail line and its five stations and depot will be handed over to the operator HKL during 2023.
More information:
Ville Saksi, CEO, Länsimetro Oy, tel. +358 (0)40 823 2086
Teemu Lantto, CEO of Graniittirakennus Kallio Oy, tel. +358 (0)40 772 7271
