Kreate begins construction of the Äänekoski bridge project – order book of approximately 8.5 million euros

Kreate is set to begin construction of a new waterway bridge and road improvements in Äänekoski after signing a contract worth just over 8.5 million euros with the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency for the implementation phase. As the project progressed, the steel-girder composite bridge was replaced by a concrete bridge. Construction of the new bridge will begin in June 2026.

Kreate is moving from the development phase to the implementation phase of the Mt 642 Äänekoski Bridge D&B project. The contract value for the implementation phase is €8.5 million, and Kreate will record it in its second-quarter order book.

As part of the Äänekoski bridge project, a new bridge spanning nearly 150 meters will be built over Lake Äänejärvi, south of the existing bridge. At the same time, approximately 800 meters of the highway will be upgraded, and traffic arrangements will be improved through measures such as the construction of a new roundabout and the implementation of junction improvements.

The new bridge will replace the existing one, which was built in the 1950s and has reached the end of its service life; it no longer meets the needs of increased traffic volumes and heavy-duty traffic.

The bridge was redesigned during the development phase

During the development phase, the project refined the technical solutions for the bridge and road layout, modelled detour routes for the construction period, and ensured that construction would proceed smoothly in an exceptionally confined and heavily trafficked environment. The most significant change during the development phase was the redesign of the bridge type included in the original road plan to create a more cost-effective solution.

“Instead of a steel-beam composite bridge, we are building a concrete bridge with a span of as much as 60 meters. We also developed a foundation method, and instead of a rock-supported foundation, we are constructing four supports in three different styles: rock-supported, ground-supported, and one support built on piles,” explains Markus Tarvainen, project manager at Kreate.

The goal of the project is to improve traffic flow and safety and to ensure reliable transportation links to support the growth and development of industry in the region.

Construction will begin in June 2026, and the new bridge will be opened to traffic before the old bridge is demolished. The entire project is expected to be completed in 2028.