The renewed Helsinki railway yard will soon be able to accommodate 200 additional trains each day

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency renewed the operation, tracks, electrification and safety device systems of the Helsinki railway yard in an extensive renovation project. From the beginning of 2022 about 200 more trains will be able to pass through the yard which will increase the capacity of the entire Finnish rail network. Sweco acts as the contractor consultant to the project.  

The project to improve the functionality of Helsinki railway yard (HELRA) is a historic one for many reasons. For the first time ever, the railway yard will see extensive renovation work, including the renewal of switches, electric rails and the safety device systems. 

“The focus of the project is on safety devices, meaning that functionality is, first and foremost, enhanced by new safety device technology,” explains Project Manager Timo Ripatti from Sweco. 

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency selected Sweco to lead the project design and construction, based on a tendering process. “It came down to quality and price,” says Project Manager Pekka Rautoja from the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency. He believes that demanding projects call for good references and comprehensive experience. “In such a busy place, you really must know what you are doing.” 

The Helsinki railway yard sees around a thousand passing trains each day. Developing the systems allows for the capacity to be increased by about 20 per cent. “It should be enough for the next 10 to 20 years,” Rautoja says. Upon completion in 2021, there will be nearly 90 hourly trains travelling between Helsinki and Pasila during rush hour. 

Satisfied end customers ensured with flexible change management 

 The HELRA project has received TEN-T funding from the European Union, since the Helsinki railway yard is included in the development of the trans-European transport network. The final cost estimate for the project was € 50 million, but thanks to good advance planning and successful tenders, the budget was € 10 million below budget. 

This is a great achievement, since there have been many necessary changes to the plans along the way. “In a complex project, we must all be ready for surprises, and the management of change situations is emphasised,” Rautoja says. “If the project organisation did not have the ability to make quick decisions and solutions, we would soon be in trouble.” 

From the point of view of the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, change management and flexible implementation during the project have been absolutely necessary. “The benefit of the end customer is the key, and we are always thinking about the benefits to the traffic and customers.” 

Repairs carried out without disrupting train services 

One of the greatest challenges in the project has been the coordination of repairs and rail services, as well as the management of interfaces with other projects in the area. For example, the safety device changes between HELRA and the western additional railway in Pasila needed to be coordinated so that both worked at the same time. 

“Repairs were phased regionally, meaning that work is carried out on some tracks while others are available for traffic,” Ripatti explains. Ripatti and Rautoja feel that the project’s greatest achievement is that the challenging tasks were performed successfully without disrupting railway traffic. Some work has been performed during the night in short intervals.  

Novel cooperation enabled successful traffic interruption 

HELRA has required only one total traffic interruption, during which some trains were turned around already in Pasila. Its success in summer 2018 was a tour de force of cooperation. “So far, total traffic interruptions have been considered impossible due to the extensive effects to services,” Ripatti emphasises. “Here, the interruption was necessary to get the work done within the planned schedule.” 

Each project party had the courage to challenge old procedures, and the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, VR, Finrail and HSL planned every detail together. 

“These kinds of things cannot be dictated, and the only way to succeed is to find a consensus,” Rautoja emphasises. The interruption was indeed preceded by long preparations and negotiations. Communication regarding the exceptional arrangements was also carried out together. “When you are able to provide a good justification, you can succeed in anything!” 

No unplanned traffic disruptions took place during the interruption. “It is quite an achievement!” Ripatti states, delighted. “You have to remember that the operation of the Helsinki railway yard has an impact on all Finnish rail connections, airport transportation and commuter transport in the Helsinki region.” 

The project achieved its goals, the budget was underestimated and the long-term project was completed without major disruption to passengers. “This was a masterpiece of an experienced project manager! Pekka Rautoja, the project manager of the Finnish Transport Agency, created a coordinating culture in which the project was carried out in an alliance spirit without an alliance, ”concludes Timo Ripatti on behalf of the entire project team.