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The Vantaa light rail project is preparing for the implementation phase. The competitive bidding process between the alliance's builders and designers, which began in spring 2024, has been resolved, and the alliances proposed for the procurement were confirmed at the meeting of the Vantaa Urban Space Committee on 4.9.2024.
The construction of the Vantaa tram is divided into two alliances, which were put out to tender at the same time. One alliance is responsible for the western part of the tram project between Lentoasema and Tikkurila and the Tikkurila tunnel, and the other alliance for the eastern part of the project between Tikkurila and Mellunmäki.
- Vantaa Tram is a significant future project for Sitowise. It enables us to use the expertise gained in previous projects extensively for the benefit of the project and at the same time further develop our company and personnel in tram and urban development projects, says Jannis Mikkola, Business Director at Sitowise.
The bid was submitted by four groups of builders and two groups of designers.
- We are very pleased that the procurement was completed on schedule. We now have partners who have routine in similar alliance projects, and they will be able to prepare the development phase quickly once the final decisions have been made, says Henry Westlin, Project Director of the Vantaa light rail.
In addition to the City of Vantaa, the other client of the tram project is Helsinki Region Environmental Services (HSY). Helsinki's share is represented by Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd. These parties will make procurement decisions on the matter in September 2024.
The value of the alliance procurement for the construction of the Vantaa light rail is approximately EUR 660 million. The construction of the tram can begin once the state's investment contribution to the construction phase of the project in accordance with the future MAL agreement has been confirmed, and the Helsinki Administrative Court has resolved both appeals concerning the project.
The procurement contract for the development phase of the alliance will only be concluded after these issues have been resolved.
After the procurement decision, the alliances will begin a development phase that will last until summer 2025, after which the actual construction work can begin. Vantaa's goal is that the project can start with preparatory construction work, such as wire transfers, at the end of 2024 or early 2025. Vantaa light rail will start operating in 2029.
The Vantaa tram goes under Tikkurila in a tunnel over half a kilometer long
In the alliance procurement, partners were sought to implement the tramway system in accordance with the Vantaa tramway project plan and the Helsinki part of the Vantaa tramway, as well as the design and construction of streets and municipal engineering.
- Alliance projects inspire, and in a good way challenge, us design parties. Our experts are already waiting for the start of the project and the development phase of the alliance, where we will develop design solutions from the perspective of construction and end users appropriately together with contractors, the client and stakeholders, says Elina Väistö, Sitowise Head of Divison and continues:
- With each project, our own expertise also deepens and diversifies. For example, as alliance parties in the Jokeri Light Rail and Crown Bridges tram projects supporting large-scale urban development, we have been able to develop our design expertise in terms of quality, project management and cost and sustainability.
The western part also includes the challenging undercut of the Tikkurila center and train station.
- We are planning a very interesting tramway project, the scope of which with its various technical areas is in a class of its own. In addition to the usual street network, the project includes, for example, the construction of the Tikkurila railway station and a tunnel under the track, as well as a tramway near the airport terminal, says Pasi Pekkala, Department Manager at Sitowise and Project Manager of the project.
Sitowise's interdisciplinary expertise is required in the case of the Tikkurila underpass, and construction experts are also involved in the challenging entity. The group also places a strong emphasis on cooperation and combining expertise together with Ramboll.
- The success of the project is based on cooperation between all parties. Our expertise and experience in both tramway projects and alliances create the prerequisites for creating a high-quality tramway, Pekkala says.
Photos: Vantaa light rail, City of Vantaa