The Hailuoto causeway opened to traffic in June. The exceptional project was completed ahead of schedule and delivered under an alliance model efficiently, to a high standard and cost-effectively. AINS Group served as the lead designer of the demanding marine alliance project and was responsible for the design of the embankment and Huikku Bridge.
The Hailuoto causeway opened to traffic at the end of June 2026. It improves access to Hailuoto and enables smoother passenger and freight transport to the island. The causeway replaced the ferry service that had operated between the island and the mainland since 1968, with annual operating and maintenance costs of approximately EUR 7 million. Continuing the ferry service would have required decisions in the coming years concerning, among other things, the renewal of the ferry fleet and increased service capacity.
The project was delivered using an alliance model. The alliance comprised the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency as the client, GRK Suomi as the construction partner, and AFRY Finland and AINS Group as the design partners.
“We at the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency are strongly committed to a collaborative approach, and the alliance used to construct the Hailuoto causeway is an excellent example of this. Smooth cooperation has played a particularly important role in such an exceptional project. Delivering the project required excellent collaboration during construction, as well as extensive stakeholder cooperation over several years during the project preparation and design phases,” says Kari Wihlman, Director General of the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.
The Hailuoto causeway consists of the 767-metre Huikku Bridge, the 737-metre Riuttu Bridge and 6.9 kilometres of embankment.
“Designing the Hailuoto causeway was an exceptionally demanding marine project that inspired our designers and provided us with new expertise for future projects. AINS Group served as the lead designer in the alliance and was responsible for the design of the embankment and Huikku Bridge. We made good use of the lengthy development phase, working together with the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, AFRY and GRK to develop solutions that reduced costs, among other things. The designs were already nearly complete when actual construction began. The positive cooperation between all parties involved in the project produced excellent results,” says Kari Kauniskangas, CEO of AINS Group.
Construction of the causeway began in May 2024. The project was completed in its entirety in September 2026, when the temporary work bridge at Huikku and the quay structures used for ferry services had been dismantled. More than 1,200 employees received site induction during the construction phase.
The total project cost is expected to be approximately EUR 108 million. The figure includes the design and construction of the project under the alliance agreement, including a five-year post-completion liability period, as well as other project costs.
Further information:
Päivi Annamaa
Vice President
AINS Group
Tel. +358 40 827 8608
paivi.annamaa@ains.fi