Kreate builds a new growth-supporting road in Kaarina: Kurkela-Kuusisto project worth approximately €80 million

Kreate Oy and the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency have signed a contract worth nearly €80 million for the large-scale Mt 180 Kurkela–Kuusisto project. The project, starting in the development phase, is expected to be recorded in its entirety in the order book in the first quarter of 2026. One of the most significant infrastructure investments in Southwest Finland will improve road connections between Kaarina and the Turunmaa archipelago and support sustainable growth in the region. The other end of the new western bypass road in Kaarina will be built right next to the Kirjalansalmi bridge, which was constructed by Kreate and opened to traffic in November.

The goal of the nearly €80 million Mt 180 Kurkela–Kuusisto project, won by infrastructure builder Kreate, is to improve the flow and safety of regional road connections. The project involves building a new road between the Kurkela interchange and Kuusisto island, covering approximately 3.5 kilometers, and upgrading Kurkelantie to a dual carriageway with four lanes over approximately 1.3 kilometers. In addition, the project includes the construction and improvement of nine bridges.

“I am very pleased with the successful tender process and cooperation with the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency. Thanks to excellent planning during the tender phase, we achieved a competitive quality plan and price. On top of everything else, the project is entirely in line with Kreate’s vision in terms of both scope and complexity. It involves multiple types of construction, challenging construction sites, and a tight schedule,” says Timo Vikström, CEO of Kreate Group.

The Kurkela–Kuusisto project, which will begin in November with the development phase, is significant for both the city of Kaarina and the entire Turunmaa archipelago.

“The new connection will streamline traffic, increase traffic safety, and enable the future development of the urban structure and land use in the city of Kaarina. At the same time, the project supports business opportunities and the attractiveness of the entire region. The improvements will also benefit public transport and bicycle and pedestrian traffic, increasing the accessibility and attractiveness of the entire area,” says Kari Partiainen, Project Manager at the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.

Challenging ground conditions – a significant number of bridges

The project is made even more demanding by the particularly challenging ground conditions in the project area. In practice, the ground in Kaarina is very soft, while on the island of Kuusisto there is hard rock. In addition to varying ground conditions, pressurized groundwater adds further interest to construction solutions.

“In such projects, expertise in foundation and special foundation construction is particularly important. We intend to utilize several different types of construction in the implementation and overcome the technically challenging construction sites we identified during the bidding phase with our solid professional skills. I’m sure we’ll have something in our repertoire,” says Antti Kokkonen, head of Kreate’s bridge unit.

The project involves the construction or renovation of a total of nine bridges, the largest of which is the new Auvaisberg bridge to be built over Kuusistonsalmi.

“Our bridge professionals remain busy when there are so many bridges to build or repair. On the other hand, bridges built in the same project area can be constructed more efficiently than a similar number of bridges located in different parts of Finland. The Auvaisberg bridge is the most significant of the project’s bridges, as it will be almost 400 meters long,” describes Kokkonen.

With the launch of this project, Kreate’s handiwork will be visible on most of the bridges in the area. In August 2022, the unique Lillholmen bascule bridge was opened to traffic, followed by the Kuusistonsalmi bridge in September 2024, the slanted leg concrete Hessundinsalmi bridge in October 2024, and in November 2025, Finland’s longest suspension bridge, the Kirjalansalmi bridge, will open. In addition, Kreate implemented the E18 Turku Ring Road project between Kausela and Pukkila, which was completed in 2022.

Kreate on voittanut lähes 80 miljoonan euron Mt 180 Kurkela–Kuusisto -urakan, jossa rakennetaan Kaarinaan läntinen ohitustie. Toisesta päästä ohitustie yhdistyy Helsinkiin johtavalle Valtatie 1:lle ja toinen pää rakentuu aivan Kreaten rakentaman ja kuvassa taustalla siintävän Kirjalansalmen sillan kupeeseen. — Kreate has won the Mt 180 Kurkela–Kuusisto contract worth nearly €80 million to build a western bypass road in Kaarina. At one end, the bypass connects to National Road 1 leading to Helsinki, and at the other end, it is being built right next to the Kirjalansalmi bridge, which was built by Kreate and can be seen in the background of the picture.

Construction will begin in spring 2026

The Mt 180 Kurkela–Kuusisto project is a Design and Build (D&B) contract that includes a development phase. The development phase of the project will begin in November 2025. The aim is to continue planning and specify implementation solutions in cooperation with the client and other stakeholders. Preparatory work can be carried out during the winter, but actual construction will begin in spring 2026. As far as Kreate is concerned, the project must be open to traffic by the end of October 2027.

“The construction schedule is very tight, but we are focusing on joint planning and finding the best solutions during the development phase to ensure that the construction phase runs smoothly. Close cooperation with the client and other stakeholders enables a sustainable, high-quality, and safe result,” Kokkonen assures.

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is the client for the Mt 180 Kurkela–Kuusisto project. Kreate will record the development phase portion of the project in its order book for the last quarter of the year. The total contract value of €80 million is expected to be added to the order book during the first quarter of 2026.