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The marine conditions of Huikku steel bridge require durability and quality from the painting system
In the future, you will be able to drive to Hailuoto when a causeway is built between Riutunkari in Oulu and Huikku on Hailuoto Island.
A causeway improves the accessibility of Hailuoto
Life on Hailuoto Island, located off the coast of Oulu, will change when a causeway of 8.4 kilometers becomes available to the mainland at the end of 2026. The connection will be implemented under the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency's alliance model, including not only the causeway but also the bridges of Huikku and Riuttu, with GRK Suomi Oy as the contractor.
The bridge stretching from Hailuoto towards Oulu is called the Huikku Bridge, and its size and location make it special.
The frame of the steel bridge is made of weather-resistant steel. Steel Group Pohjanmaa is responsible for the steel structures and surface treatment of the bridge. The steel blocks are processed at the company's factory in Oulu. The dimensions of the Huikku Bridge are significant in Finnish bridge construction: 2.4 million kilograms of steel, with the longest blocks measuring 36 meters in length, 6.4 meters in width, and 4 meters in height.
The Huikku Bridge will rise to a height of 18 meters at its highest point, allowing boats to pass beneath it to the other side of the road connection. According to Henrik Kiviniemi, the marine conditions require both the bridge's structures and its painting system to be durable. Because weather-resistant steel is used, the bridge is painted somewhat differently. Only the visible surfaces of the blocks are painted, meaning the interior is not painted at all.
The Huikku Bridge will rise to a height of 18 meters at its highest point, allowing boats to pass beneath it to the other side of the road connection. According to Henrik Kiviniemi, the marine conditions require both the bridge's structures and its painting system to be durable. Because weather-resistant steel is used, the bridge is painted somewhat differently. Only the visible surfaces of the blocks are painted, meaning the interior is not painted at all.
Image: Steel Group Pohjanmaa
There are over 10,000 square meters to be painted on the bridge. The steel blocks will be painted with three different types of paint. In total, they will receive five layers of paint, which amounts to a total painted surface area of 50,000 square meters. The parts of the bridge are painted at our factory. To meet the quality requirements of the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, it is painted with five coats. We use weather-resistant steel for the bridge. This provides the structure with a longer maintenance interval.
Precisely scheduled painting project
The bridge blocks are painted indoors, under good conditions. On-site, only the weld joints are painted, and any damage that may have occurred during installation is touched up.
The painting work for the first blocks began at the end of 2024, and the final painting work at the factory will be completed during the summer of 2025. Due to the extensive nature of the work, it must be scheduled precisely. This places high demands on the painting system. "The painting system must be reliable. The different layers need to dry efficiently, and the drying times promised to us must be accurate to ensure the project runs smoothly", explains Henrik Kiviniem
The painting work for the first blocks began at the end of 2024, and the final painting work at the factory will be completed during the summer of 2025. Due to the extensive nature of the work, it must be scheduled precisely. This places high demands on the painting system. "The painting system must be reliable. The different layers need to dry efficiently, and the drying times promised to us must be accurate to ensure the project runs smoothly", explains Henrik Kiviniem
Good cooperation is valuable
Henrik Kiviniemi values the assistance of an expert contact at PPG Tikkurila. Paavo Kareinen serves as the key account manager for Steel Group Pohjanmaa and has previously collaborated with them.
Paavo Kareinen has been involved in several bridge projects as an expert, particularly in tensile strength tests and adhesion measurements. PPG Tikkurila is part of the SILKO working group under the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, which defines, among other things, the surface treatment of bridges. We engage in continuous product development and closely monitor industry requirements. This ensures that our products meet the established criteria regarding durability, life cycle considerations, and maintainability, confirm Juha Kilpinen, Technical service manager at PPG Tikkurila.
Paavo Kareinen has been involved in several bridge projects as an expert, particularly in tensile strength tests and adhesion measurements. PPG Tikkurila is part of the SILKO working group under the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, which defines, among other things, the surface treatment of bridges. We engage in continuous product development and closely monitor industry requirements. This ensures that our products meet the established criteria regarding durability, life cycle considerations, and maintainability, confirm Juha Kilpinen, Technical service manager at PPG Tikkurila.
It is important for us that the cooperation runs smoothly. PPG Tikkurila helps us a lot, especially in developing the painting process.
