Hailuoto bridges and causeway

A fixed road link will be built between Riutunkari in Oulu and Huiku in Hailuoto. Connecting to the largest island in the Bothnian Sea are a causeway and two bridges, which when completed will replace the existing ferry service. Approximately 6.9 kilometres of causeway are being built, and the length of the two bridges is about 1.5 kilometres in total.

A so-called reinforced concrete deck federal girder bridge has been chosen for the peak bridge, with a concrete bridge deck and steel girders acting together as a load-bearing structure. The load-bearing structure of the second bridge is reinforced concrete, with the beams of the reinforced concrete superstructure tensioned. 

Comprehensive nature clearances were carried out for the area, and the design was guided by Natura requirements.

The fixed link to Hailuoto is an exceptional project, as causeways or bridges are relatively rarely implemented in Finnish maritime areas.

The length of Huiku Bridge on the Hailuoto side is 767 metres and the free underpass height is over 18 metres, making it an exceptionally large watercourse bridge. The bridge is designed by Ponvia. 

Plaana, part of the A-Engineers, designs the causeway and other road arrangements at both ends. The geotechnical design is responsible for AFRY.

According to the current estimate, construction could start in spring 2023.In this case, the fixed link would open to traffic in 2025 at the earliest and the ferry service would end.