Environmental impact assessment for the Rantaväylä tunnel in Tampere

In the EIA, the impacts of the project and the effectiveness of the project in terms of the master plan were assessed comprehensively and transparently. Nevertheless, the plans and assessments received a lot of criticism, and even the authorities were requesting clarifications until the very end. The planning work called for dedication and a systematic approach on the part of the consultation team and the project team overseeing the work.

The reviewed alternatives included improving the current road by developing level crossings and traffic light control (ve 0+) for a short tunnel - the so-called Onkiniemi tunnel (ve 1) - and a long tunnel (ve 2) in accordance with an existing road plan. The master plan included reviewing alternative plans proposed by different parties and their pros and cons.

The project and its alternatives have been a major point of discussion in Tampere for some time. The planning of the long Rantaväylä tunnel was already in its last stages when the Administrative Court ruled that the EIA had to be applied. For that reason, the statements and opinions focussed mainly on the drawbacks of the long tunnel and criticised its viability and necessity. Opinions were specifically aimed at the technical engineering solutions of the long tunnel, doubts regarding the traffic functionality and safety of multi-level junctions and tunnels, and concerns about the impact on the living environment, air quality, groundwater, landscape and buildings during and after construction.
 
The long tunnel solution was selected for the design process, but due to the feedback received, aspects such as the mid-stage multi-level junction were further assessed and new solutions were proposed based on air quality issues. In addition, the design for the multi-level junctions of Santalahti were improved.
 
The planning work is coordinated by Sito Oy in cooperation with Pöyry Finland Oy. The EIA process is project managed by Sakari Grönlund, and Ville-Mikael Tuominen acts as the project manager for road planning and general planning. Air quality modelling was provided by the Meteorological Institute of Finland. The project director is Pekka Petäjäniemi from the Finnish Transport Agency.
 
Due to the tight schedule and the environmental issues related to the project, we produced an extensive environmental impact monitoring programme in spring 2011 and carried out the technical implementation of the monitoring system. Finally, we submitted the water permit applications for the waterway embankment (to be constructed using the tunnel and blasted rock material).
 
The project will be carried out as an alliance project in 2012-2016.
 
 
Sito Group, Tietäjäntie 14, FI-02130 Espoo, FINLAND
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