YIT in Finnish light rail project

A YIT-led joint venture has signed a contract to build the Tampere light rail project in Finland.

The first phase of the project will begin in 2017 and includes a 15km line from the city centre of Tampere to Hervanta, and to the central hospital. A depot will also be constructed in Hervanta.

The first phase – which is expected to be completed in 2021 – will cost €238.8 million, with YIT’s share worth €110 million.

The joint venture is made up of YIT, VR Track and Pöyry.

YIT said the second phase of the project – which will include expanding the rail network from the city centre of Tampere to Lentävänniem – would take place between 2021 and 2024.

Jouni Forsman, head of YIT’s infra services business division, said, “YIT’s renewed strategy emphasises project development in growth centres and focuses increasingly on the involvement of partners.

“The collaborative alliance model adopted in the Tampere light rail project matches this objective very well. The project is significant in terms of size.”

He added that the project also played an essential role in the development of the Tampere region, in which YIT wanted to be closely involved.