Construction “The motorist gassed his foot” – City residents wandering around Helsinki’s construction sites constantly cause danger

Helsinki construction sites repeatedly find themselves in a situation where a city dweller wandering on construction sites or a person passing through due to hurry causes a dangerous situation. It is often the case that city dwellers do not respect construction site warning signs, speed limits or fences.

There have been a lot of difficulties at the Kruununsilto construction site.

YIT’s Crown Bridges site safety manager Erno Martin has seen how sad people walk into a dangerous area.

“Beautiful weather and strengthened ice have attracted people to skate or walk on the sea ice. Then there is the fatigue or it has just been decided to straighten the land from where it is the shortest distance or where it has been before, ”says Martin.

“However, it now has a construction site where heavy vehicles move heavy loads. Dangerous situations arise because workers cannot wait for a walker who suddenly walks forward. ”

Martinin believes that construction sites are no longer respected as in previous years.

The reason, he says, is understandable: people are numb to construction.

“Complementary construction has brought construction sites to increasingly cramped locations and closer to residents, to former walkways and backyards.”

There are numerous construction sites underway in Helsinki, especially in the bustling city center. The renovation of Runebergintie, the construction of the Raide-Joker and the construction site of the Crown Bridges make everyday movement difficult. The projects also last for years.

Some residents in the vicinity may still use the old shortcut and walk through the construction site. Not only does this endanger the safety of the straightener, but it can also endanger others.

“It has often happened that the straightener has left the gate open, which has enticed children to play on the construction site,” Martin says.

“At the Tripla construction site, three boys were able to play through the open gate to play on the construction site. There were many places in danger: there were differences in height of tens of meters and a pressure spike going on nearby. ”

Construction sites cause noise and abnormal traffic arrangements, which annoys some city dwellers. Traffic controllers, who regulate traffic in the vicinity of the construction site, have benefited in particular from the outrage.

“Motorists, cyclists and even walkers don’t seem to be able to wait their turn, and employees get to hear verbal comments all the time. One motorist even gassed the traffic controller on foot. ”

At the site of the Crown Bridges, one of the workers was rescued from a sheltered road a few weeks ago at the last minute as a motorist drove to the scene regardless of the speed limits lowered at the site.

Threats of violence have also become increasingly common.

Also SRV Building Safety Manager Aleksi Auerin cases have come to light where outsiders have had to be turned away from construction sites.

Sometimes mistakes are made on construction sites if the residential block under construction is already inhabited at one end while the other end is still being built.

“This requires special arrangements at the site, and at that time it is important to ensure that the doors to the site are closed and the passageways near the site are clearly marked and demarcated.”

Auer does not consider straightening across construction sites to be a major problem, as it occurs relatively infrequently on the company’s construction sites.

Alone as a challenging case, Auer remembers a project in Hakaniemi where a pedestrian had to be moved across the street because of a construction site.

“Not everyone wanted to follow the markings, but would straighten in front of the fences through the highway directly in front of the construction site gate, which could have caused accidents when the construction site traffic used the driveway.”

People who intrude on construction sites despite being genuine and guarded also cause their own annoyance. According to Auer, the reason for the intrusion may be, for example, the filming of climbing videos.

“It’s a really dangerous hustle and bustle, as the construction site is basically a dangerous place for an outsider,” Auer says.

Helsinki residents also deserve praise, Martin says.

“Although there are exceptions, the people of Helsinki generally tolerate the disadvantages of construction sites. Getting used to continuous construction also has that effect, ”Martin praises.