Finland has officially opened the new Kirjalansalmi Bridge, the country’s longest road bridge by clear span. The bridge opened to traffic on 6 November, securing the only road connection to Pargas and the Turku archipelago, an area with more than 50,000 islands.
Key Highlights
- The bridge spans 675 metres across the Kirjalansalmi Strait.
- It is a steel composite cable-stayed bridge with a main span of 265 metres.
- Replaces the old 1963 suspension bridge, which had reached the end of its lifespan.
- Delivered by an alliance of Kreate and the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency (Väylävirasto).
- Arup, along with AFRY and SOFiN Consulting, carried out the independent design check.
- Built using Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) with a drawing-less BIM approach.
- Improved safety features include wider lanes, cycling paths, and pedestrian walkways.
- Enhances transport, tourism, business, and community connectivity in the region.
Advanced Engineering & Digital Design
The project used Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) to speed up delivery and improve accuracy.
Design data was shared digitally through a single source of truth, allowing real-time collaboration between designers, engineers, and construction teams.
Arup provided expertise in:
- Long-span bridge engineering
- Fire safety and risk assessment
- Independent structural verification
Project Voices
Cian Long, Project Manager, Arup:
“We are proud to help deliver a major bridge that ensures safety, durability and innovation for future generations.”
Jarmo Niemi, Project Manager, AFRY:
“Arup’s technical expertise was key to ensuring structural integrity and resilience.”
Benefits to the Region
The new bridge:
- Makes travel safer and faster
- Removes vehicle restrictions from the old bridge
- Encourages sustainable transport with cycling and pedestrian lanes
- Supports local tourism and business growth
