15.08.2024
The southern overpass of Ylivieska needs urgent repair
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia proposes the repair of the Ylivieska southern overpass to the state budget for next year. The Regional Council sent a statement letter to the Ministry of Transport, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and the representatives of the Oulu constituency on Thursday 15 August 2024.
It is hoped that the statement will awaken decision-makers and officials to notice the importance of a small project to the north, which is central to rail traffic. The cost estimate for the bridge project over Highway 27 is EUR 13.7 million, and it has been involved in the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency's investment project for years.
– Renovation of the overpass is a small project in terms of costs but has a significant impact. The current bridge is weight-restricted and cannot withstand heavy special transports, Regional Director of Northern Ostrobothnia Jussi Rämet recalls.
Renovation of the bridge is of great importance, especially for the business life in Northern Finland. It improves the preconditions of business and the functionality of special transports, increases security of supply and promotes the objectives of the regional transport system plan.
The problem with the current overpass is the lack of transportability and the safety of pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The load capacity of the bridge is not sufficient for the current traffic loads, which is why it has been decided to renew the bridge on the basis of a survey of measures carried out in 2016.
The Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Northern Ostrobothnia has drawn up a road plan for the renewal of the southern overpass of Highway 27 in Ylivieska. The most significant measures proposed in the road plan for highway 27 are the construction of a new bridge north of the current bridge, the renewal of pedestrian and cycle paths and lighting, and the construction of special lighting for the bridge on the station side. The renewal of the overpass enables special transports across the bridge and the track below to function as a large-scale transport track.
Starting Northern Transport Plans in a Rush
In the provincial transport system work in Northern Ostrobothnia, the urgent need to increase planning capacity has been identified, especially on highway 4, which is part of the TEN-T core network, and on the main line.
– Accessibility and the related infrastructure are always important issues for Northern Finland, but they are particularly important in the present, Jussi Rämet says.
It would be a good idea to start planning in stages, especially on the Pyhäjärvi-Pulkkila and Pulkkila-Haaransilta road sections, as well as the planning of the bypass in Ii city centre, so that the target timetable set by the European Commission for the service level of the core network can be achieved.
According to Jussi Rämet, in the development of the railway network, the development of the Ylivieska-Oulu railway must begin with the implementation of the Liminka-Oulu twin track, as recorded in the Government Programme, and with a view to improving the planning readiness of Ylivieska and Liminka. In addition, in order to start international daily train traffic between Oulu and Haaparanta, the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia proposes EUR 2.1 million to the state budget for the Ministry of Transport and Communications' purchasing service agreement from 2025 onwards.
Additional information: Jussi Rämet, tel. +358 40 586 3877, jussi.ramet(at)pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi
