Eltel’s Rail business signs a contract with Destia in Finland
Eltel’s Rail business has signed a contract with Destia Oy in Finland on railway electrification and point heating. The contract is part of project to improve railway section around Oulu region and it will be executed during 2013−2016.
“The new contract is a proof of Eltel’s strong competences and experience in railway electrification. We are very pleased with the good co-operation with Destia and the strong trust they showed to Eltel with this new contract,” says Päivi Hakala, Director of Eltel’s Rail business in Finland.
Finnish Transport Agency signed the prime agreement with Destia Oy on the overall project. The contract includes improvement of the existing single-track line and construction of the new line, with a total length of approx. 30 km. The value of this contract is EUR 85 million. Eltel will act as Destia’s subcontractor.
As part of the project several new traffic operating points and service roads will be built as well as level crossings will be eliminated. Also16 steel bridges will be repaired or renewed. Electric power systems will be updated according to the new double-track line requirements.
“The new double track railway sections will increase the railway capacity, which enables greater traffic volumes. Safety will also be enhanced by the elimination of level crossings from the whole railway section. The project also enables passenger trains to increase their speeds up to 160–200 km/h, depending on the type of train”, says Hakala.
The 335-kilometre long railway between Seinäjoki and Oulu is one of the busiest single-track railway sections in Finland. The majority of the traffic between Southern and Northern Finland uses this track, which is at the same time part of the Trans-European Rail Network (TEN). The total value of the planned investment is estimated at EUR 860 million.
Eltel’s main offerings to the Rail infrastructures are electrification, communications and signalling. The company has ongoing contracts both in building and maintaining rail infrastructures in all Nordic countries. In spring Eltel announced a EUR 20 million contract with Jernbaneverket in Norway