There are several stages to planning a road: feasibility studies, preliminary and final engineering planning and construction planning. A road project and its planning become more specified in the different stages of the planning process. In small projects with minor impact, some stages may be combined.

The feasibility study phase examines the necessity and feasibility of the project, its impacts and cost forecasts. After the feasibility studies, a preliminary engineering plan (in large-scale road projects) or similar is drawn up to determine the approximate location of the road and the road’s connections to the existing and future road network and land use. So the preliminary engineering plan examines the basic traffic and road engineering solutions, the approximate location of the road and assessed impact, such as the impact on road and traffic conditions, road safety, land use, real-estate structure, the environment and the health, living conditions and comfort of people. The plan also presents the possibilities for eliminating or reducing negative impacts and the preliminary cost estimate.

The principles approved in the preliminary engineering plan are no longer changed during later planning stages. Therefore, the preliminary planning phase is the most important in terms of having your say on the road project, as it involves the most dialogue with different parties. A preliminary engineering plan may limit other construction activities and impose an obligation on the road authority to expropriate areas. Solutions already approved in principle are no longer subject to change through objections or appeals.

A final engineering plan is drawn up based on the approved preliminary engineering plan. The final engineering plan determines the precise location of the road, intersections and other road connections, areas required for the highway and the cost estimate. The approval decision is made on the final engineering plan, allowing the road authority the right to take possession of the area required for the highway. The final engineering planning stage involves dialogue with landowners and other parties concerned. The road planning process results in a plan that can be approved in accordance with the Highways Act. This decision enables the start of the construction stage.

Once financing for the project implementation has been ensured, highway construction can be started. The actual construction planning is included in the implementation and conducted in connection with construction.

Read more:

• Highways Act (Finlex) (Laki liikennejärjestelmästä ja maanteistä, in Finnish
• Road planning process in Finnish