The West Metro will open for service at the end of 2015. Factors contributing to delays to the original schedule were appeals concerning the Espoo land use plan leading to a delay to the start of construction as well as the technical constraints for construction which were specified during the course of this spring.
The construction schedule for the West Metro has been examined during the spring at several working groups. The objective was to draw up a schedule that would be the most realistic and practicable possible.
– We wish to allocate sufficient time for the testing of both the automatic trains and other systems. Most of the rock blasting works will be completed by the end of 2012. After this, the fitting out of the excavated tunnels and stations will begin, explains Länsimetro Oy’s Managing Director Matti Kokkinen.
The completion of the West Metro is keenly awaited in the surrounding areas of the future metro stations. The opening of the metro service will be of great significance for investment decisions concerning the stations’ surrounding areas.
– Our schedule must be strict but at the same time viable. This schedule will enable us to construct and test the metro in a reliable way, and this is what we are at present able to commit to, states Olavi Louko, Chairman of the Board of Länsimetro Oy.
The rock blasting works for the access tunnels in Otaniemi, Keilaniemi and Karhusaari will commence in July
Länsimetro’s Board of Directors also decided on the selection of rock blasting contractors for the Otaniemi, Keilaniemi and Karhusaari access tunnels. The Otaniemi access tunnel rock blasting contract will be carried out by YIT Rakennus Oy and those of the Keilaniemi and Karhusaari tunnels by Kalliorakennus-Yhtiöt Oy. The total value of these three contracts is in excess of EUR 6 million.
At its deadline, the invitation to tender had received submissions from all eight operators that had passed the first tender phase including operators from the Czech Republic and Sweden. The objective is to sign the agreements in June-July. The works in Otaniemi, Keilaniemi and Karhusaari will commence during July. Prior to the start of the blasting work inspections will be carried out on all properties in the area. An information event for the residents and property owners/users in the area will be organised on Tuesday 15 June at 6 p.m. at the premises of The Geological Survey Finland (GTK).
In Espoo, the works for the West Metro will begin first in Tapiola, where in the beginning of June the ground excavation for the access tunnel for the West Metro and its Tapiola Central Car Park will commence in the vicinity of the Merituulentie and Etelätuulentie roads, at the site of the previous dog park. Preparations for the construction site there are already underway. The City of Espoo will be responsible for carrying out the ground excavation work, and a ground breaking ceremony for the Espoo works will take place at the site on 1 June.
For further information, please contact
Olavi Louko, Chairman of the Board, Länsimetro Oy, tel. +358 (0)500 607 754
Matti Kokkinen, Managing Director, Länsimetro Oy, tel. +358 (0)50 347 1558, email matti.kokkinen@lansimetro.fi