| Work Detail |
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency has commissioned WSP to study traffic demand and conduct a feasibility study for a fixed link between Umeå, Sweden, and Vaasa, Finland. The needs assessment will examine traffic forecasts and evaluate impacts. The feasibility study will consider, among other things, the constructability of the link, maritime operational conditions, environmental factors, and sustainability.
The assignment is based on a government program entry that calls for a study of a fixed link across the Kvarken Strait (Vaasa-Umeå), while also examining the synergies of electricity and hydrogen transmission connections.
The distance between Umeå and Vaasa is approximately 100 kilometers, with the shortest distance between the coasts being about 80 kilometers. Currently, the route is serviced by a ferry with a travel time of 3.5–4 hours. The vision of a fixed link across the Kvarken Strait has existed for a long time, and it has now been included in the government program.
A fixed link is a very technically challenging project. The crossing requires finding technically-feasible solutions to ensure the link’s constructability. Surface solutions are challenged by sea currents and ice movements combined with storm winds. In addition to technical challenges, the Kvarken Strait is an environmentally-sensitive area with extensive nature reserves.
An underwater link would mean a significantly long tunnel. Currently, the world’s longest undersea road tunnel (about 27 kms) is under construction in Norway. The world’s longest undersea railway tunnel (about 54 km) is in Japan. In the case of the Kvarken Strait, these lengths would be exceeded.
WSP has assembled an international expert group from Finland, Sweden, and Canada to bring comprehensive expertise to the task.
“We are extremely pleased and proud to have been entrusted with this great task. A fixed link between Umeå and Vaasa is a comprehensive infrastructure project that is interesting to study from many perspectives. A key part of the feasibility study is forecasting the demand for the transport of goods and passengers using the link, and we are market leaders in this area in Sweden,” said Lars Drageryd, project manager at WSP Sweden.
“It is every engineer’s dream task to be involved in building a demanding project that was once thought to be almost impossible. We have managed to gather the best expertise to solve the challenges, and although the work is still in its early stages, we are confident that we will create a realistic foundation for the plan,” said Risto Jounila, project manager at WSP Finland.
“It’s always an exciting opportunity to work with members of our team in different regions on a very ambitious project,” said Tony Mailhot, a Bridge Technical Expert for WSP in Canada and member of the WSP Global Bridge Manager Group. “Our ability to collaborate with members of our team around the world, sharing expertise from our own experiences, helps create stronger solutions for our clients.”
Both tasks are expected to be completed in the spring of 2025. |
