GRK has been selected to implement a project to improve the Kotka entrance road on national road 15. The value of the project for GRK is approximately EUR 10 million. Additionally, the contract includes an option for additional orders worth approximately EUR 1 million, bringing the total value of the project to around 11 million euros including the option. The project was commissioned by the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, the City of Kotka, Kymen Vesi and the Economic Development Centre of Southeast Finland. The agreement was signed on 24 June 2026, at which time the project was recognised in GRK’s order backlog. The project is expected to be completed in 2027.
National road 15 (Hyväntuulentie) is the main connection from national road 7 to the centre of Kotka and Finland’s largest ports, such as Mussalo and Hietanen. As part of the project, a crash barrier will be built on Hyväntuulentie , the road and the Korela crossing bridge will be widened, noise barriers will be built, and a new connection lane will be built. In addition, the water supply networks and the pedestrian and cycling bridges going under Hyväntuulentie will be renewed and repaired. The contract also includes the overhaul of Kotkantie in the area of the Korela crossing bridge.
The improvements will clarify the road network in the area, make traffic smoother and improve traffic safety by separating the directions of travel. The measures will make it possible to increase the road speed limit to 80 kilometres per hour, with the exception of the Metsola at-grade junction. In addition, the construction of noise barriers will improve living comfort along national road 15.
“It’s great that we are getting to implement a project that is particularly important for port traffic and Kotka residents together with our clients. For a construction company, this is a diverse and interesting infrastructure contract to be carried out in an urban environment,” says Toni Jauho, Construction Manager at GRK.
“This year, we have already won three road transport infrastructure contracts on top of ongoing projects. The projects are distributed evenly across Finland, which has allowed us to allocate resources sensibly. We have numerous partners and subcontractors in the Kymenlaakso area, with whom we have been working for a long time,” says Jaakko Mäkelä, Business Director, Civil Engineering and Road Construction.
Hyväntuulentie has high traffic volumes, and its functioning is very important for industry and business. The current road is congested, and its traffic safety is poor. In addition, increasing traffic increasingly causes noise nuisance to the densely populated roadside.
The aim of the project is to clarify the traffic network in the area and ensure safe and smooth traffic to the centre and ports of Kotka. In addition, the project aims to reduce noise pollution for the residents of the area.
Construction will commence during the summer of 2026, and the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027.