Cost estimates for Espoo Metro soaring

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The cost estimate for the planned extension of the Helsinki Metro system westward to Espoo has increased appreciably. When the City Council of Espoo voted in favour of the construction of the Espoo Metro in September last year, the official estimate from 2004 was EUR 452 million.
     
At present, the estimated price of the project is at least EUR 530 million, notes the City of Espoo Technical Services Director Olavi Louko, who is also the chairman of the board of Länsimetro Oy ("Western Metro").
      The increase is largely a consequence of the fact that general construction costs in Finland have jumped by 5.8 per cent since July 2006.
      The budgeted costs will be estimated more accurately as soon as the metro company has completed its price calculations and its project plan.
      Under current plans, the first extension of the Metro will be from Ruoholahti in the west of Helsinki via the Helsinki island of Lauttasaari to Otaniemi, Tapiola, and Matinkylä in Espoo, while eventually the system should extend further west to Kivenlahti.
     
Louko’s own estimate is nearly 20 per cent higher than the figure from 2004.
      Already last year Louko estimated that the Western Metro would cost some EUR 500 million, even though he had no accurate calculations. The quality requirements set by the City Council are also bound to increase the costs, he said.
      "The first cost estimates were based on a stripped-down version", Louko concluded.
      "It is no use trying to guess what the final costs of the Western Metro will be", argued Matti Kokkinen, the manager of the Helsinki-Espoo metro project.
      Currently, the bedrock of the planned Metro line is being examined in Espoo. The price of the project also depends on how deep below the surface the tunnel will be built, and whether or not any sections will have to contend with clay soil.
      According to Kokkinen, construction on clay is 5 to 10 times more expensive than blasting through the granite bedrock. However, so far no nasty surprises have turned up, he added.
     
The state has promised to pay some 30 per cent of the Metro costs, while Espoo and Helsinki will cover the rest.
     
Espoo’s Olavi Louko says that the increase in general costs is natural and should not cause any concern. The City of Espoo is likely to pay the costs of the venture with borrowed money.
      The aim is to launch the Metro project in 2009.
      "In regional terms the extension of the Metro west to Espoo is so important that it has to be launched on schedule", said Matti Lahdenranta, the Managing Direcor of the Helsinki City Transport, who is also the deputy chairman of Länsimetro Oy.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  HKL: After Matinkylä phase, Helsinki metro should be extended to neighbouring Sipoo (28.8.2007)
  Solitary Espoo drivers keep Länsiväylä motorway congested (27.8.2007)
  Espoo City Council votes in favour of extension of Helsinki Metro (26.9.2006)

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