Construction, Estonia, Financial Services, Transport

The Estonian Road Administration on Thursday is to sign a construction contract with AS GRK Infra and Graniittirakennus Kallio Oy, who were deemed the successful bidders of the construction tender for the four-lane Ardu-Voobu section. The total cost of the contract is 38.1 million euros, the Road Administration said.

"The timely signing of the Ardu-Voobu section agreement enables the builder to take maximum advantage of the cold period to carry out construction work on soft soil," Kaupo Sirk, deputy director general in the construction and development area at the Road Administration, said. "And thus along with the builder of the Kose-Ardu section conclude the complete Kose-Voobu section by the end of 2020."

The Ardu-Voobu section is a part of the four-lane Kose-Mao highway section. The construction of the 11 kilometer Ardu-Voobu section is to start in the first quarter of 2018 and is scheduled to last 32 months.

The whole section will have a 2+2 lane highway with a central barrier, the Mustla junction and bridges across the Pirita and Lintsi rivers. In addition, two rest areas and one ecoduct enabling the safe crossing of wild animals are planned along the section as well. Crossings with other highways and local roads will be multilevel.

The Ardu-Voobu highway section along the current route of the Tallinn-Tartu highway will be left to fully service local traffic and will, if needed, operate as an alternative to the new road in various special circumstances. The new section is projected for a speed of 120 kilometers per hour.

The Ardu-Voobu section was designed by Kelprojektas UAB along with Reaalprojekt OU.