E18 in the centre of Raisio

Road project Ongoing Southwest Finland

E18 Turku Ring Road, which is part of the Trans-European Transport Network TEN-T, is one of Finland’s most important main road connections. The road section in the centre of Raisio differs significantly from the other sections of E18. Urban traffic and main road traffic mix in the city centre, and the road fails to meet the objectives set for key main road connections. The objective of upgrading the Ring Road is to correct shortcomings in the quality standard, traffic flow and safety of the road and to support the urban region's preconditions for growth.

Traffic in the crossing of ringway E18-kehätien and Raisionkatu.

Basic information about the project


Schedule
2025–2030

Alliance partners
Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, Fintraffic Road Ltd, City of Raisio, Destia Oy, WSP Finland Oy

Costs
The project’s cost estimate based on the road plan approved in 2022 is EUR 235 million. 
 


Goals:

  • Improving traffic flows and safety, reducing susceptibility to disruptions
  • Developing street arrangements to meet the needs of urban traffic
  • Improving conditions for pedestrians and cyclists
  • Reducing traffic emissions
  • Reducing the number of people exposed to road noise
  • Improving the accessibility of Naantali and Turku ports, Meyer Shipyard, Neste refinery area and Raisio city centre

  • Planning 2020
  • Agreement and development phase 07/2025
  • Construction 2026
  • Completion 2030

Scope of the project

The aim of the project is to improve traffic arrangements in Raisio city centre to meet the requirements of the Trans-European Transport Network TEN-T. It also aims for improving the flow of traffic, road safety and local residents' living environment.

The project will be implemented in stages. Phase 1 construction work is to start in September 2026. The first phase will include building a road tunnel in the city centre, implementing street arrangements in the city centre, and upgrading E18 Turku Ring Road on the southwest side of Main road 8.

Conduits and equipment will additionally be transferred, which will be necessary in order to commission the first phase, and other necessary work will be carried out, including the construction of Petterinpellontie connection. The interchange of Turku Ring Road and Main road 8 will be built and other work of the second phase completed in later phases of the project.

In phase 1:

  • Turku Ring Road will be upgraded along its current alignment over a distance of approx. 1.7 kilometres.  
  • At-grade intersections and traffic lights will be removed.  
  • The intersection north of Raisiontie and the intersection that connects Soliniuksenkuja to Turku Ring Road will be removed. A new Soliniuksenkatu intersection will be built to replace it.  
  • A road tunnel with concrete structure approx. 450 metres in length will be built in the centre of Raisio.  
  • An interchange leading to Raisio city centre will be built on the west side of the tunnel. The ramps of the interchange will be connected to the street network through roundabouts.  
  • As the at-grade intersections on the Ring Road are removed, extensive street arrangements will be implemented. Routes for pedestrians and cyclists will additionally be upgraded along the Ring Road and on the streets.  
  • Kirkkotie will be extended as part of the street arrangements in the city centre.  
  • A new Elauksenkatu street will be built to connect Opinpolku and Soliniuksenkatu over the tunnel.  
  • Muinaispellontie and its bridge will be built.   
  • Extensive noise abatement will be implemented by building a total of 3.8 kilometres of noise walls and barriers.
  • Safety will be improved by installing traffic lights on the street network and providing routes with better lighting.

Goals in the later phases:

  • Main road 8 upgrade over a distance of approx. 1.3. kilometres  
  • Interchange of Turku Ring Road and Main road 8.  
  • Extension of Keonkatu to Petterinpellontie.  
  • New Jokilaaksontie road to connect Voudinkatu and Haunistentie.  
  • Route via Muinaispellontie, Petterinpellontie and Vesilaitoksentie. This route will replace the current Petterinpelto at-grade intersection on the Ring Road.

Project costs

Based on the road plan approved in 2022, the project’s cost estimate is EUR 235 million.