Colas Group’s Destia to Build Key Western Section of €750m Vantaa Light Rail Line

(IN BRIEF) Destia, part of the Colas Group, will lead the western section of the new Vantaa tramway project under an alliance agreement signed on 26 November 2025. The first phase, now ordered at €230 million, includes groundwork, utilities, structural work and parts of the tram superstructure. The full project totals €750 million, with Destia’s share estimated at €420 million. The tramway will connect Helsinki Airport and Tikkurila, feature a tunnel beneath the active railway station, and is expected to open in late 2029. The development will modernise mobility, promote sustainable transport and support long-term urban expansion across Vantaa — targeting 60,000 new residents and 30,000 new jobs by 2050.

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 4-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Destia, a subsidiary of the Colas Group, has secured a major role in the new Vantaa tramway development, following the signing of alliance agreements by the City of Vantaa on 26 November 2025. The consortium led by Destia — alongside Sitowise Oy, Ramboll Finland Oy, the City of Vantaa and HSY, with Helsinki represented by Pääkaupunkiseudun Kaupunkiliikenne Ltd — will deliver the western section of the new line. Destia has received the service order for Phase 1 of the project, valued at approximately €230 million, which will be recorded in Q4 2025.

The western section of the tramway will connect Helsinki Airport with Tikkurila, including the construction of a tunnel beneath Tikkurila railway station — a structure designed to keep rail traffic running during works. Overall construction for this section is expected to span four years, with operations planned to commence by late 2029. The full Vantaa tramway project is estimated at around €750 million, with Destia’s total share projected to reach roughly €420 million.

The initial service order covers early works such as ground and foundation construction, municipal engineering, road and superstructure works, and installation of certain segments of the tram system. In addition to track installation, the project involves extensive upgrading of road infrastructure, cycle and pedestrian routes, and renewal of underground utilities including water, pipelines and cable networks.

Once complete, the tramway — a new light rail (LRT) link — is expected to reshape mobility within the Helsinki metropolitan area, providing a more sustainable transport option connecting eastern districts directly to the railway network and Helsinki Airport. It also forms the largest public infrastructure investment in Vantaa’s history. The city anticipates the development will stimulate long-term urban growth, with plans to welcome 60,000 new residents and create 30,000 new jobs by 2050 along the corridor.

Tero Kiviniemi, CEO of Destia, commented:
“This project allows us to apply our rail construction expertise in a complex urban setting. The Vantaa tramway will simplify cross-city travel, strengthen public transport and support the region’s sustainability transition. We are proud to be part of this major transformation for Vantaa.”

Francis Grass, Executive Vice President EMEA at Colas, added:
“Winning this project confirms the strong capabilities of Destia’s teams and reflects the Colas Group’s capacity to deliver landmark infrastructure works across the regions in which we operate.”

The Vantaa tramway marks Destia’s second major public-transport infrastructure contract in Finland, following the Kalasatama–Pasila line. Once operational, Vantaa will become the fourth Finnish city with a tram network.

Colas (www.colas.com)
Colas, a subsidiary of the Bouygues Group, is a major player in the construction and maintenance of transportation infrastructure and urban development. Colas covers the entire value chain: from industrial production to service offerings, including construction work. Thanks to its local presence in some fifty countries on five continents, Colas achieved a consolidated revenue of €15.9 billion in 2024, 59% of which is outside France. With its 64,000 employees, a network of 2,000 operating units comprising 3,500 production units, and nearly 45,000 projects per year, Colas is the trusted partner of its customers. Colas maintains its pioneering, innovative and responsible spirit to connect people and foster the sustainable development of territories.

Media Contacts:

Fabienne BOULOC Tel.: +33 6 67 06 90 21
fabienne.bouloc@colas.com

Caroline Millan Tel.: +33 6 66 40 57 38
caroline.millan@colas.com

SOURCE: Bouygues Group