Syrjäsalmi Railway Bridge, Kitee

We are building a new railway bridge and rail line in Syrjäsalmi, Kitee. The new railway bridge will improve traffic safety and flow in the area.

Together with the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, we are carrying out the construction contract for the new Syrjäsalmi railway bridge and rail line in Kitee, Finland. The construction site is located about 45 meters from the existing bridge, which will be closely monitored during construction. The new Syrjäsalmi railway bridge will connect the southern and northern parts of Lake Pyhäjärvi.

As part of the project, the rail alignment will also be renewed over approximately four kilometers, and the new rail line will be built to the west of the current line. Additionally, the old Huvila underpass bridge will be demolished and replaced with a new one. The old railway bridge will be dismantled after the new rail line is in use or rail traffic has been redirected to it. The rail geometry will also be updated to meet new requirements.

The construction project is being carried out in challenging environmental conditions, as the local terrain is variable and the proximity to the lake requires special care and robust structural solutions. Weather fluctuations and working near Lake Pyhäjärvi pose unique challenges for both scheduling and work safety. For these reasons, local expertise has been utilized in construction planning, and preparations have been made for possible surprises.

The total value of the project is about 21 million euros. The goal is to ensure traffic safety and efficiency and to restore the bridge’s original service level. Studies conducted in summer 2023 showed that building the new bridge 45 meters from the current one is necessary to avoid additional strain on the old bridge.

The railway bridge project began in August 2025 and is expected to be completed in early 2027, when the new bridge will be taken into use.