Construction Progressing as Planned at the Vaarala Depot
Earthworks at the Vaarala Depot have progressed on schedule over the summer, and the area is gradually beginning to take its final shape. Most of the rock excavation has now been completed, and work is currently focused on foundation structures, municipal infrastructure, and stormwater systems. Crushing of the excavated rock will continue throughout the autumn.
Rock excavation has been carried out in the northern part of the depot area since June. The work is nearing completion, apart from a few small areas and utility channel sections. In total, approximately 20,000 m³ of bedrock will be excavated, and the excavated rock material will be reused in the depot area's foundation structures.
The large rock fragments produced during excavation are not suitable for construction use as such and must therefore be crushed on site into aggregates suitable for different applications. Processing and reusing the rock material on site significantly reduces the need to transport construction materials from outside the area, as well as the associated heavy vehicle traffic on the surrounding street network. Aggregates produced at the site may also be utilized in the structures of the light rail line.
Rock crushing will resume in Week 39 and is expected to continue for approximately two weeks, until all excavated rock material has been processed.
In addition to the rock excavation and crushing works, ground bearing capacity has been improved in the central part of the depot area through deep compaction, which involves repeatedly dropping a heavy weight onto the ground surface. The deep compaction work was completed at the end of August.
Regarding the depot building, the project development phase led by the project management contractor SRV is currently underway. During this phase, the project's scope, technical solutions, implementation methods, and construction schedule, among other aspects, are further refined. The objective of the development phase is to ensure that construction can begin as planned and as efficiently as possible.
Earthworks and the construction of stormwater and wastewater systems will continue within the depot area until November 2026. Construction activities are also ongoing in the surrounding areas. Municipal infrastructure is being built on Lemmenkuja until October 2026, and the stormwater system along Länsimäentie is expected to be completed in September-October 2026.
