Vaarala depot infrastructure project enters implementation phase – 16 million euros added to Kreate’s order book

The consortium formed by Kreate and GRK has signed an agreement with Helsinki Metropolitan Area Transport regarding the construction phase of the Vaarala depot rail yard as part of the Vantaa Light Rail project. Kreate’s share of the order is approximately 16 million euros, and the company will record it in its order book for the second quarter of 2026.

The contract for the implementation phase of the Vaarala Depot Rail Yard Alliance includes earthwork for the depot area, construction of the tramway track infrastructure, and installation of the electrical track and systems. The development phase of the joint venture project began in May 2025, and construction is scheduled to begin in June 2026.

“The Vaarala Depot Rail Yard Alliance is a key component of the Vantaa Light Rail system and reinforces Kreate’s role as a contractor for complex rail and urban infrastructure projects. We apply our expertise in a wide range of areas, including civil engineering, rail infrastructure, and technically demanding urban environments, in collaboration with our construction partners,” says Timo Vikström, CEO of Kreate Group.

The Vaarala depot will serve the storage and maintenance needs of Vantaa’s tram fleet and provide facilities for tramway maintenance. This will enable the Vantaa tram to begin operations as planned in 2029.

In addition to the construction partners, the Ratapiha Alliance includes the design firms AFRY Finland, Sweco Finland, and WSP Finland. The construction portion of the project phase now under contract amounts to approximately 32.5 million euros, which will be divided equally among the construction partners, increasing Kreate’s order book by approximately 16 million euros.

Toward the end of the year, while the rail yard infrastructure project is still underway, construction of the depot building itself is scheduled to begin as a separate project.

A tight schedule and the groundwater protection zone add to the challenge

Part of the pit area is located within a groundwater protection zone, which imposes specific requirements on, among other things, excavation and crushing operations as well as site arrangements.

“Due to the limited work area, effective soil recycling requires careful planning. We have focused on careful logistics planning and close cooperation with the Vantaa Light Rail construction site,” explains Project Manager Sami Kari from Kreate.

Prior to the construction of the track and electrical systems, the project will utilize a variety of civil engineering techniques, such as excavation, deep compaction, and embankment work.

“We need to coordinate all the work within a tight schedule so that construction of the pit building can begin at the end of this year as planned,” Kari explains.

The construction of the Vaarala depot is also guided by high environmental and sustainability standards, as Metropolitan Area Transport has set a goal of achieving BREEAM environmental certification for the depot building.

“BREEAM also guides the construction of railway yard infrastructure. Although the construction of the rail yard does not involve any technically exceptional solutions, the project is challenging due to its urban setting, tight schedule, and the need to coordinate numerous work phases,” Kari notes.