Background and current situation

Highway 1 is currently a two-lane road between Muurla and Lohjanharju. Traffic safety and efficiency are quite weak. The road's narrowness, curves, hills and numerous intersections reduce transport reliability. Increasing traffic has only makes matters worse.

Traffic volumes on the Highway 1 between Muurla and Lohjanharju were 8,400-11,000 vehicles a day in 2000, with heavy traffic accounting for 13-15% of the total. As a result of the area's development and migration, traffic has increased at a faster than average rate. In 2002 traffic volumes were 9,000-11,500 vehicles a day. The new motorway is expected to have traffic volumes of 14,700-19,200 vehicles a day in 2030.

Road quality is not in line with current traffic requirements and cannot ensure future development. Transport reliability does not meet business or international transport channel requirements.

Traffic safety is poor between Muurla and Lohjanharju. In contrast to the general trend, safety has weakened. An average of 3.2 fatal accidents and 26 accidents involving personal injuries occur yearly.