What can you fit on the side of a 25-kilometer-long, meandering speedway track in an urban environment? In addition to the settlement, at least also a lot of nature, such as three Natura areas and urban streams. In the Raide-Jokeri project, nature has been taken into account in many ways and an effort has been made to preserve as much of the original as possible.
A lot has been done in the Raide-Jokeri project to promote biodiversity. The eaves swallows of the Vantaanjoki River, which nested in the bridge structures of the old light traffic bridge, also received media attention. Artificial nests were put on the new bridge, but the eaves swallows took the bridge as their own and nested there anyway.
"The project has also made use of, for example, recycled growing mediums made on site, in which case it has not been necessary to bring growing medium from elsewhere. Recycled growing media contain a seed bank, which allows the local species to be preserved in the area. On the other hand, alien species have been combated in the project area and prevented from spreading," environmental engineer from YIT Henna Malmipuro says.
Consideration of nature as the norm
Raide-Jokeri, which stretches from Helsinki's Itäkeskus to Espoo's Keilaniemi, runs over or next to five city streams. Streams have been renovated and improved as part of the construction in cooperation with various associations.
There are also examples of recycling. When the Tulvaniit light traffic bridge was built, a working bridge was first made, which could be recycled into a working bridge of the adjacent bridge. "Often the materials of such working bridges have to be transported to other places for use or put in recycling, but now we managed to use it for the same purpose in the same place", says Henna.
At the Viikinkaari construction site, an employee came up with the idea that the trunks of felled trees could be turned into birdhouses. The idea was put into practice, and a bird box talk day was organized for the residents of the area. The wooden frames got a new life, and there was no need to transport them anywhere.
Henna thinks that today's customers already like recycling better than before and that development is moving more towards how old materials can be utilized, even when new ones are being built.
"Nowadays, you can no longer be short-sighted when it comes to nature, and you should have always thought long-sightedly and considered the effects of your actions. Social responsibility belongs to everyone, and companies specifically employ individuals who certainly do their part to enjoy nature."
Henna's thoughts on taking nature into account during construction
- Lextract: The soil and plants thank you when not only conventional park plantings are planted in the built-up area, but plant species that naturally thrive in the area. Built-up areas can be restored and landscaped.
- Man: Nature is a matter of comfort for the residents of the nearby areas of the construction site, and it creates a better city. Nature and movement in nature create well-being for people.
- Company: In the corporate world, financial efficiency is often required. Being environmentally friendly does not necessarily increase costs, but for example, recycled materials can be even cheaper than purchased new ones.
In a nutshell
- Raide-Jokeri is a light rail line being built between Helsinki's Itäkeskus and Espoo's Keilaniemi. The length of the track is about 25 km, of which about 16 km is located in Helsinki and 9 km in Espoo.
- The rail connection replaces regular bus line 550, which is the busiest bus line in the Helsinki region.
- In 2030, Raide-Joker has predicted about 91 journeys per weekday. In 000, according to the forecast, there will already be 2050 trips per weekday.
- Today, bus line 550 carries 40 people a day.
- In Raide-Joker, which is implemented with the alliance model, YIT and other service providers and the customer are focused on finding solutions together. Thanks to this, for example, careful consideration of the surrounding environment has at least not delayed the construction work.
- The express train was supposed to start operating in 2024, but the project has progressed so quickly that passengers will be able to jump on board with these prospects as early as next fall.
Text: Nina Lampén
Photos: YIT