The Koskenkylä–Kotka motorway will be carried out by employing the lifecycle model. The Finnish Transport Agency outsources a comprehensive service including the design, construction, maintenance and funding to the chosen service provider.
The Finnish Transport Agency is negotiating with the consortium made up of Destia Oy, YIT Rakennus Oy and Meridiam Infrastructure Finance II S.á.r.l to reach an agreement. It is estimated that a contract could be signed in November.
Negotiations preceded by a tendering competition
In the international tendering competition invitations to tender were sent to four tenderers. After the negotiation phase two tenders were submitted. The criteria used in comparing the tenders were their overall economic advantageousness.
From an overall economic perspective the chosen tenderer clearly submitted the best and economically most advantageous tender, on the basis of which it is possible to continue negotiations to reach a service agreement within the contract authority of 650 million euros granted for the project.
Benefits expected from a compact lifecycle implementation of the project
The time reserved for building the motorway section Koskenkylä–Kotka is short, only about three years. It is estimated that the construction of the 53 kilometer motorway will get underway at the end of the year 2011. According to the estimate the motorway will partly open for traffic already in 2013 and in its entirety in 2014. All the road arrangements included in the contract will be completed at the end of 2015. The contract period extends to the end of 2026.
The lifecycle model is used in order to achieve an expeditious and efficient high standard implementation, a good maintenance service level and adequate risk management. Previously the model has been employed in the Lahti motorway project and in the Muurla–Lohja motorway project.
An important local link in the international network
The Koskenkylä–Kotka motorway is situated on main road 7, which is part of Finland’s most important international road connection E18 and also part of the transport system of the Nordic Triangle, a priority in the European Union since it connects the capitals of the Nordic countries to each other, to the rest of Europe and to Russia. Main road 7 is also part of the Trans-European Networks.
The E18 Koskenkylä–Kotka motorway will partly be implemented as a Green Motorway. The Green Motorway, a concept which has been developed by the municipalities, the provincial federations and important companies, is acting as a cooperation forum in the area. Its aim is to utilise the coming E18 motorway from Koskenkylä eastwards as an innovation platform for sustainable development technology.