“The weather conditions this autumn have been exceptionally difficult in terms of both road management and transport. We have received much feedback about road conditions from individual road users as well as companies. It is vital that we are able to react promptly to the situation in order to guarantee safety and ensure effective and reliable freight transports”, says Anne Berner, Minister of Transport and Communications.
“This is a quick fix, but we also need a long-term plan”, says Berner.
Map: Upgraded maintenance classes on the following road sections
In the last two years, the Finnish Transport Agency has upgraded the winter maintenance class of over 700 road kilometres. The level of winter maintenance is determined by the maintenance class of the road. The maintenance classes are defined based on the traffic volumes and the functional class of the road as well as on the transport needs.
A more extensive nationwide review will be carried out by means of the winter maintenance policy, in connection with which new criteria will be set for dealing with the changed winter conditions. This review, to be completed in the spring, will be noticed in the daily travels of road users, at least when the competitive tendering of contracts commences.
Winter road maintenance is part of the regional road maintenance contracts. The contracts are service agreements stretching over several years. The Finnish Transport Agency collaborates with the ELY Centres to reach the required quality.
Road users may monitor the progress of winter road maintenance via the service, Traffic situation, liikennetilanne.liikennevirasto.fi.
Enquiries
Head of Unit Ari-Pekka Manninen, Ministry of Transport and Communication, +358 50 594 2679
Maintenance and Digitalisation Specialist Otto Kärki, Finnish Transport Agency, +358 50 430 4705
Map: Upgraded maintenance classes on the following road sections
Road sections listed per region (in Finnish)
Media release of the Ministry of Transport and Communications published on 22 December 2017 (in Finnish): https://www.lvm.fi/-/talvihoidon-tasoa-nostetaan-merkittavimmilla-tieosuuksilla-960842