The outlook for the economy has brightened both in Finland and internationally. However, in order to reach the market at a competitive price, Finland's most important export articles need good road infrastructure and reliably functioning transport chains.
"Finland unnecessarily gives competitor countries a head start in transport. If the fairway connection does not work, from the point of view of the export industry, it is a bit the same as a Finnish orienteer having to compete in an international competition in rubber boots, or a javelin thrower changing a carbon fiber javelin to an iron bar", Chairman of the Board of Rakennusteollisuus RT Harri Kailasalo compare.
Now the Finnish export industry is getting a boost in its competitive shape from favorable business cycles. According to the Ministry of Finance, economic growth in the first quarter of 2017 was clearly faster than expected. In the economic overview of the summer, the ministry predicts that growth will accelerate. The focus of private investments shifts to productive investments and exports increase.
"The news is happy, but the situation also raises a new kind of concern in export companies. On the edge of Europe, competitive transport connections are a lifeline. In many places, growth can get stuck in traffic bottlenecks, unless a political line is found for the financing of road infrastructure that extends beyond the government periods. The long-term program creates prospects and confidence that encourage companies to invest in Finland. Jobs and tax revenues are created. Even for an athlete, the right equipment is not an expense, but an investment for future top performances," continues Kailasalo.
The road is also part of the production line
As the competition has intensified, the road infrastructure has become a significant competitive factor between the countries. Lanes are part of the industrial production line and a lot is expected of them. They also affect the placement of companies.
"In addition to production, industrial processes include a lot of transportation. Raw material transports, process transports between production facilities and finished product transports to the domestic market and for export are needed. Since the processes are precisely scheduled, the transports must take place punctually", Director of Logistics at Wärtsilä Finland Oy Ari Schiestl clarify.
According to Schiestl, a good example of a bottleneck route is highway 8 from Turku to the north via Rauma, Pori, Vaasa and Kokkola. The region's automotive, marine and other industries are in great export demand. On the main roads of Finland proper, heavy traffic has increased by up to seven percent per year. The growth in the entire country is about four percent. The region's export products are not manufactured remotely, so commuting traffic is also growing strongly.
"The vast majority of our own goods flows through Kasitie, so it is vital for our competitiveness. The Turku-Nousiainen section is a shining example of how sensible road investment improves traffic flow and safety. A similar investment should be ensured for the entire road all the way to Central Ostrobothnia. The goal should be such an efficient and environmentally friendly connection that even foreign companies are interested in the area," sums up Schiestl.
Finland's future lies in internationality
Although central competitor countries have better starting points to compete due to their location, even remote Finland can improve its accessibility. "We need a long-term infrastructure program like other Nordic countries. The identification and prioritization of roads like Kasitie are successful when the road infrastructure can be planned and financed with a 10-12 year perspective," says Harri Kailasalo.
"If we don't do anything, transports on the most important connection intervals in terms of our export income will inevitably slow down and become more expensive as the use of the lanes increases. In addition to eroding competitiveness, poorly running traffic and roads in poor condition increase emissions and weaken traffic safety. How long can we afford to follow this development without doing anything?”
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Harri Kailasalo
chairman of the board, Rakennusteollisuus RT
business segment manager, infrastructure projects, Lemminkäinen Infra Oy
first name.surname (a) lemminkainen.com, 0400 401 538
Ari Schiestl
director of logistics, Wärtilä Finland Oy
firstname.lastname (a) wartsila.com
BACKGROUND: Improving Highway 8 in the cutter
Big trucks standing at traffic lights, dangerous narrows, hoses. The long-awaited improvement works of Vt 8 began in 2014. The entire project will be completed in 2018. Originally, the project included twenty improvement measures, which have been eliminated for financial reasons.
The busiest section, the extension of the highway from Raisio to Nousiai, has been completed. Improvements to the Luvia–Pori section, including overtaking lane and junction arrangements, are nearing completion. Rauma has received Luostarinkylä multi-level interchange as a separate site, thanks to the city's funding.
There are even smaller measures to improve safety and smoothness on the Nousiainen–Luvia section. With separate funding, a pair of bypass lanes between Nousiainen and Kurjenmäki and the long-awaited Söörmarku interchange will be built.
The most important unrealized objects are the central sections of Laitila and Eurajoki. Their cost estimate is more than 40 million euros. Now highway 8 is an obstacle to the development of land use in these settlements. The drastic positive development of the business life of Turku, Uudenkaupunki, Rauma, Eurajoki and Pori leads to a considerable increase in commuting and freight traffic, which is why planning for the improvement of the Laitila and Eurajoki sections should also be started immediately and care should be taken for the quick implementation of the projects.