Construction of streets in Kera, first construction phase

The contract includes Kutojantie, Artesaaninkatu, Kukkavaasinkatu, a section of Maitovadinkatu between Keranpuisto and Viilivati, Viilivati, Artesaaninpolku, a section of Amppelipolku between Viilivati and Päivänkestämänpolku, as well as the construction of the streets, pedestrian and bicycle paths, water supply and technical networks of Päivänkestämänpolku. A temporary connection to Keran Hallit will run via Maitovadinkatu.

In the first phase of construction, the structural street layers, water supply and technical networks will be implemented. In the contract area, surface structures will be dismantled and contaminated soil will be restored. The construction includes the installation of water mains, a sewer, a stormwater drain and casing pipes for power and telecommunication cables as well as district heating and cooling pipelines.  The construction of streets and municipal infrastructure requires actions such as excavation and strengthening the soil with stabilisation, a foam glass bank and pile slabs. Pile slabs to be built on steel pipe piles driven into the earth will protect the water mains and sewers from ground movement and frost heaving, and they will distribute the weight of the mains evenly in the soil. The use of foam glass, which is lighter than stone chips, will decrease the amount of earthworks, in addition to improving the bearing capacity of the soil. The manufacture of the foam glass utilises recycled material.

The contract also includes the construction of a wastewater pumping station and a stormwater pumping station the foundation of which will be made of reinforced concrete piling. Two water supply casing pipes (diameters 1200 mm and 810 mm) will be drilled under the railway track. The water supply lines to be built will be supported with support elements to be installed in the excavations, as well as sheet pile walls. The construction of municipal infrastructure will also extend to park areas; Viilivadinpuisto, Nihtivalli and the northern part of Nihtimäki. At the intersection of Kukkavaasinkatu and Kutojantie, at the northwest edge of Nihtivalli, two noise barriers will be built and trees and shrubs will be planted.

The streets will be covered with temporary asphalt. The contract will last for estimated 1.5 years.

The excavators will use a digital model of the excavation work, which will optimise the depth and width of the excavation to be made. This will, in turn, decrease the volume of the soil to be excavated and the chips to be brought in to replace the soil. The purpose of these measures is to reduce contract time and the inconvenience to people using the street.

The final surface structures, vegetation and artworks designed for the area will be implemented in later contracts as building construction is completed in the area. However, landscape planning has played a significant role in the planning of the area, and future green construction will increase the comfort of the area. The planning of the streets and parks has also paid special attention to stormwater management.

During the work, temporary traffic arrangements will be needed in the area. Access routes will be changed and narrowed as the work progresses.

A step towards a greener and more sustainable urban environment

The city’s role as a promoter of sustainable development and emission-free constructions sites is significant, in terms of renewing the industry. The goals set by public procurers are a step towards a more environmentally friendly and sustainable urban environment. Espoo has signed the voluntary Green Deal for construction sites (external link, opens in a new window)(external link, opens in a new window)(external link, opens in a new window), which aims to promote sustainable procurements and thus reduce emissions from construction sites.

The street construction project that is now starting is committed to promoting the principles of sustainable development. The street structures will utilise recycled concrete chips from the demolition of Keran Hallit instead of virgin crushed rock. The reuse of demolition concrete will reduce the amount of waste and the need to extract new raw materials. In addition, the use of demolition concrete in the immediate vicinity of the construction site will shorten transport distances.

In accordance with the Green Deal, earthwork machines and earth-hauling trucks will use renewable and fossil-free fuels, such as biofuels or electricity. In this contract, natural stone materials to be used in paving will be evaluated on the basis of their emission values, and materials whose production and transport cause the least environmental impact will be favoured.

Additional information

• On the city planning page Kera street and park plans, you can access the plans in the section “Plan materials”. The page also has a presentation video of what the Kera streets and parks will look like once they are built.

Information on the objectives of the construction of Kera is available on the Kera city district page.

Implementation time: November 2023–June 2025

Project supervisor: GRK Suomi Oy

City developer’s representative: Pasi Severinkangas