Demolition and replacement work for a bridge link on the important Ring Road III around Finnish capital Helsinki is being delayed. Replacing the bridge is expected to cost €34 million. However, the necessary funding for the work has yet to be secured. The existing bridge is located on the Tikkurila side of Ring Road III. It is no longer able to cope with the current traffic demand and has to be replaced. The project has been planned by Finland’s Transport Infrastructure Agency (FTIA).
Construction work is underway for the new Tattaranjoki bridge on Highway 2. A speed limit is in place for the existing structure while piling is due to commence for the supports of the new bridges. Demolition of the old bridge will be carried out in the future. The work forms part of the upgrade for the Nakkila interchange on Highway 2. The project is due for completion by mid-2026. Highway 2 connects the city of Pori on the west coast with Finland’s capital, Helsinki.
Meanwhile, the town of Lieska in Finland is set to benefit from a new bridge spanning the Lieksanjoki River and carrying Highway 73. The bridge replacement work will be completed by the end of 2026 and will be carried out by Kreate Oy. The contract involves demolishing the existing bridge and replacing it with the new structure and is costing €5.4 million. Lieska is located close to the border with Russia in Eastern Finland.
The existing arched concrete bridge dates back to the 1930s and has been in poor condition for the last decade, with vehicle traffic having been forbidden and the link open to pedestrians and cyclists only during this time. The new 114m bridge will be a tensioned concrete beam type, with a wider deck than the existing structure and will feature dedicated facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. The new bridge will have a more durable piled support design than the existing structure, allowing it to carry heavier traffic. It has also been designed to cope with the heavy flooding that can occur in the area. The project has been approved by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom).
