Brothers Laamanen and Ylönen - Two generations of bridge builders

It is quite something that two pairs of brothers from two generations are working on YIT’s Crown Bridges project. However, Risto and Jussi Laamanen and Sami and Jarno Ylönen are not surprised at all.

The Crown Bridges project, which is being carried out by the YIT and Kreate consortium, will result in the longest bridge in Finland: the 1.2-kilometre Kruunuvuori bridge. In addition, the project includes the Finkensilta bridge, also known as the “small bridge”, which connects Korkeasaari and Sompasaari. Despite its name, the bridge is rather challenging. The Crown Bridges project also has an alliance that will build the Merihaansilta, Näkinsilta and Hakaniemensilta bridges, as well as a tramway line from Hakaniemi to Laajasalo.

The Finkensilta bridge was the final construction site Risto Laamanen worked on before he retired in May 2022. Before retiring, he had worked at YIT for 41 years. Despite retiring, Risto continues to work for YIT as a technical advisor.

“I have a zero-hours contract. I was just substituting for another foreman’s paternity leave for two-and-a-half weeks,” says Risto.

Risto, the older of the brothers, might also have something to do with the fact that his brother and nephews also came to work at YIT.

Risto Laamanen and Jussi Laamanen from YIT.

Bridge construction challenges are fascinating

During his long career at YIT, Risto was involved in the construction of 150 bridges between Kemi and Helsinki – and not one of them is the same. That is actually the reason why Risto, who studied house construction, became interested in bridge construction. The differences start from the foundation methods and locations: bridges are constructed on rock, clay and water to pass over railways, roads and waterways.

Risto started working at YIT as a site supervisor and made his career as a Site Manager.

“YIT lets you participate in big projects. We have long-time workers and a standard group that has usually started projects. Bridge construction is cooperation.”

You might learn theory and technique at school, but Risto feels that he has found and developed his skills at work.

“You don’t learn actual foreman work at school, and the only way to learn bridge construction techniques is also by doing. This means that you don’t have to know everything. The old hands will mentor and teach younger colleagues.”

Sami Ylönen and Jarno Ylönen from YIT.

Nephew learns bridge construction from his uncle

One of Risto’s apprentices is his nephew, Sami Ylönen, who started working at YIT as a foreman on the Finkensilta bridge in April 2022.

“I think Risto had something to do with recruitment, but I can’t be sure,” says Sami with a chuckle.

Following in his uncle’s footsteps, Sami graduated as a construction engineer from Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences at the end of 2022. He previously had a summer internship at YIT’s Jokeri Light Rail construction site, also under Risto’s wing, where Sami was the site manager of section 4.

“I replaced Risto in the TYL Crown Bridges project when he retired. I would not be as qualified as I am without Risto’s early guidance,” Sami says, expressing his gratitude.

Sami agrees with Risto that you learn bridge construction by doing.

“The building construction that I studied does, of course, have the same structural and mathematical foundations.”

Before Sami started working on the Finkensilta bridge, piling and caisson installation had already been completed. At the moment, the construction site is working on reinforcement, and the bridge’s deck will be cast in November, after which it will dry over the winter. During the winter, construction will focus on support walls, for example. The estimated completion time for the bridge is in the summer 2023.

“The work is fulfilling, interesting and appropriately challenging. The days are really different,” says Sami.

The Finkensilta bridge’s concrete casting formwork.

Infrastructure construction takes nature into account

Sami’s second uncle and godfather, Jussi Laamanen, who is also Risto Laamanen’s brother, is only a few doors away from Sami’s office in Sompasaari. He is YIT’s Quality and Environmental Manager, and has worked at YIT for 16 years.

Jussi also has years of experience in bridge construction, although from a slightly different perspective. He is responsible for the Crown Bridges project’s quality and ensuring that the construction takes into account matters related to nature and the environment.

“Sea trout are currently migrating to Vanhakaupunki bay and Vantaanjoki River, which restricts certain work. We don’t want to disturb the migration, so we don’t do underwater piling work in early autumn, for example. In the spring, we had a 3-month break on the islet to account for the nesting period of birds,” Jussi explains.

YIT - Crown Bridges tramway 2022 - YouTube (subtitles in English)

Jussi, too, admits that his brother had a small impact on Jussi’s career choice. Jussi started his working life as a carpenter, but could not continue for health reasons.

“At the time, I was living in Mikkeli, where the only specialisation that interested me was wood technology engineering. I worked the summers as a trainee at YIT, and I was already working with the bridge crews then. Like Risto, I’ve toured Finland building bridges,” Jussi recalls.

During his 16 years at YIT, Jussi has worked on over 100 bridge projects – including the Jokeri Light Rail project.

“Improving transport connections and people’s mobility motivates me. Although the projects are challenging, you shouldn’t take your work too seriously. If you don’t have a sense of humour, you’re going to have a hard time in this job.”

Projects other than bridge construction are also interesting

Jarno Ylönen is Jussi and Risto’s supervisor. He’s their other nephew. Jarno started working at YIT three years ago as a Project Engineer, and he became a Project Manager in the bridge and water construction unit in under a year. His uncles’ careers and workplace satisfaction at YIT gave Jarno some guidance as well.

“Jussi recommended that I should apply at YIT,” Jarno reveals.

 Jussi says that Jarno is the Crown Bridges project’s minister of finance. As a Finance Manager, he is an administrative supervisor with responsibility for the project’s finances, and he manages matters like the employment relationships of YIT’s salaried employees.

“Since we are a publicly traded company, reporting is a part of my job. My work often involves legal matters, such as processing alteration work and contract procedures,” Jarno adds.

The Finkensilta bridge’s concrete casting formwork.

Jarno’s education is in construction engineering, and he has also studied law and subjects related to economics. Jarno’s interest in law and economics gives him a wide variety of skills and helps him succeed in all-in contracts.

“At YIT, we have great colleagues and a good team spirit. I’m also prepared for task rotation, and projects don’t necessarily have to be bridge projects.”

What about working with close relatives?

“It’s nothing special. The construction site is so big that we don’t see each other much,” says Jarno.

“It’s the same as working with everyone else. Being a relative can’t affect the working relationship,” says Risto, adding that his younger relatives have been very receptive to the mentoring of older hands.

“You might even be a little stricter with your relatives compared to others,” says Jussi.

“Jussi, Jarno and I have such different tasks that there can’t be any conflicts,” states Sami.

What is your career highlight at YIT?

“My favourites are the Tähtiniemi bridge in Heinola and the Puumalansalmi bridge in Saimaa. They’re big, long bridges and were challenging to build.”
– Risto Laamanen, retired, Technical Advisor
41 years at YIT

“It’s still so early in my career that I can’t pick a highlight. There have been a lot of small successes, though.”
– Sami Ylönen, Foreman
Working at YIT since spring 2022

“Definitely the current Crown Bridges project. This is an impressive and demanding project that lets you demonstrate your skills.”
– Jussi Laamanen, Quality and Environmental Manager
16 years at YIT

“Jätkäsaari’s Atlantinsilta bridge, which won the bridge of the year award and was also a financially successful project.”
– Jarno Ylönen, Project Manager
3 years at YIT

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