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    Semi-motorway
    KOSKENKYLÄ - LOVIISA
    THE EUROPEAN ROAD E18 IN FINLAND, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY 7

    The road was completed ahead schedule and was opened in October, 1998.

    The National highway 7 is a part of the European road E 18, which is the most important east-west road corridor in Finland.

    The Road E 18 is a part of the transport corridor 9 in the trans-European network, which combines motorways, railways, waterways and ports into a diverse and efficient transport system.

    The Nordic Triangle is one of the most important transport projects in the European Union.

    THE NEW ROAD SEGMENT

    The new road segment will replace the old road which is narrow (7/7.5 m), hilly and winding. The old road remains as a parallel roadfor local use only.
    The forecasted average annual daily traffic volume on the road section will rise up to 12, 500 vehicles in 2020. The 14.5 km long semi-motorway can be upgraded to a motorway standard later on.
    • Pic.: The western port (2 km) of the road segment will be constructed to a motorway standard.
    • Road construction began in the beginning of the year 1996.
    • The construction costs for the road are 120 million FIM at the 1995 price level.
    • The earth materials neededfor road construction will be obtainedfrom the road alignment.
    • The road segment has a rest area for the refresment of motorists.
    • Pic.: The carriageway is made wider than in standard semi-motorway structure to improve safety.
    • Pic.: It is difficult to adopt the road into the landscape with ridges at the right angle to the road. The bedrock slopes were excavated wide enough to achieve better road corridor appearance.

    ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA)

    EIA both in Preliminary and Detailed Design
    The Environmental Impact Assessment was an integrated part of the Preliminary Design which dealt with 5 alternative semi-motorway alignments and the Do Minimum alternative, namely the upgrading of the existing road into a high quality single carriageway. The EIA process was carried out according to the new ELA legislation in 1994.
    Comprehensive Public Participation
    The public consultation organized by the regional road administration during the Preliminary Design included small group discussions with the local public, business community and environmental interest groups. When finalizing the chosen alignment, the public have been informed on all major project milestones. The public involvement will continue troughout the construction.
    Environmental impacts will be mitigated efficiently
    The forest fragmentation and barrier effect will be minimized by underpasses - long road bridges and tunnels for medium- and small-size animals. The ground water reserves will be protected from being contaminated with geotextiles, bentonite and closed drainage systems.
    • Pic.: The 165 m long bridge allows the elk to move to the core area of the R�isuo forest.
    • Pic.: The fencing is designed to guide onimals to poss under the road instead of crossing it.
    • Pic.: Animal tunnels of three different sizes are a part of measures to mitigate ecological fragmentation.

    Animal tunnels of three different sizes are a part of measures to mitigate ecological fragmentation.
    The state of the environment was studied before the road construction began. The impact of road construction and traffic on animal populations and plant communities will be systematically monitored.
    The planning is based on several scientific studies carried out between 1991 and 1996

    Implementation schedule (113k)
    For more information:
    Finnish Road Administration, Uusimaa District
    POSTBOX 70, 00521 Helsinki, Finland
    fax +358 204 22 2717
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