The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency has selected the consortium comprising Destia, a Finnish subsidiary of Colas, and WSP Finland to carry out the first phase of the modernization of the E18 Turku bypass as it passes through downtown Raisio. This project represents approximately €130 million in revenue for Destia.

The project is being carried out under a joint venture model. Following a development phase conducted under a separate contract, construction began in July 2026, with the project scheduled to open to traffic in July 2030. This award follows an initial development phase contract won in 2025, worth €6.2 million.

The Turku E18 bypass is part of the Scandinavia-Mediterranean corridor of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). It handles up to 31,000 vehicles per day, with a significant proportion of heavy-duty vehicles linked in particular to the region’s port, logistics, and industrial activities.

The project aims to modernize the route through Raisio’s city center to meet mobility needs along this strategic corridor, while improving traffic flow, road safety, and the urban environment.

This first phase includes, in particular, the construction of a road tunnel approximately 420 meters long with three lanes in each direction on the E18 bypass (National Road 40). The tunnel will pass under the main avenue in the city center. New connections to the urban road network will also be created to facilitate local travel and better integrate the infrastructure into its surroundings.

The project is based on a partnership model bringing together the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, the City of Raisio, Fintraffic, Destia (Colas), and WSP Finland around shared objectives of performance, quality, and risk management.

A subsidiary of the Colas Group, Destia is the leading provider of infrastructure services in Finland. The company designs, builds, and maintains transportation, industrial, and energy infrastructure. It employs nearly 1,900 people.