OREANDA-NEWS. On Sunday 12 June a Sandvik bicycle team participated in Finland’s largest cycling event that started off through the Ranta tunnel that has been excavated with Sandvik machines. The tunnel is still under construction and is to be opened for traffic in November 2016. It will be the longest highway tunnel in Finland (2.3 km).

Sandvik’s bicycle team was thriving with energy among all 3,500 racers when Finland’s biggest Pirkka Cycling event was rolling into the city of Tampere for the 39th time. Timo Laitinen, Vice President of product area Tunneling at Sandvik was a member of the team, riding the full distance of 21.7 kilometers.

“I feel very proud to race through the tunnel that Sandvik has been part of constructing. Our team wanted to race for the fun and challenge, and the Pirkka Cycling event was an excellent opportunity to promote physical and mental well-being, as well as team building in a safe and healthy way”, shared Laitinen.

High-frequency rock drilling for rapid work

The Tampere Rantatunneli tunnel project started off in 2013 and will be under construction until November 2016. After its completion, the tunnel will promote the development of Tampere's central areas, while also improving the functionality and safety of traffic and will be the longest road tunnel in Finland.

Due to the large amount of drilling required on the project the contractor purchased new drill rigs and equipment that was supplied by Sandvik.