Jätkänkynttilä bridge, Rovaniemi
The Lumberjack´s Candle Is Burning Even More Brightly
Customer Benefits
- A tailor-made product according to the needs of the customer
- Fast installation: utilised the connections of the old luminaires
- Lifecycle cost-efficiency: energy efficiency (50W --> 11W), long lifespan, minimal need for maintenance
The famous Jätkänkynttilä Bridge in Rovaniemi, Finland, got new lights during the autumn of 2011. The bridge is called ‘lumberjack´s candle´ (=Jätkänkynttilä) because of its unique shape. The side beams of the bridge were earlier illuminated with old HQL luminaires, which were now replaced with LED luminaires from Valopaa. Now the lumberjack´s candle – the first cable-stayed tuftform bridge in Finland from 1989 – looks even more magnificent and stands out from its surroundings.
However, the renewal of the lighting was not inspired by aesthetic reasons, but for much more mundane reasons. Risto Teppo, an engineer working at the Transport and Infrastructure Lapland Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, tells that an EU directive prohibits the HQL – mercury vapour – luminaires in 2015. The directive originates from energy saving objectives. This is why also the Lapland Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment has started to replace the HQL luminaires gradually at different lighting sites.
“With this bridge we got the idea that we could try something new, and thus we settled upon LED lighting´, he says.
The luminaires needing replacement were situated at the outer side beam of the bridge, at a very difficult location to reach. Their maintenance always required using lift cage, which would lower the maintenance person down to the luminaire. The LED luminaires were chosen specifically for the reason that they are reliable and have long lifetime, which reduces the need for maintenance.
Suomen Sähkörakennus Oy operated as the contractor in this renovation project. The CEO Marko Rantamölö was pleased with the fact that Valopaa could tailor the new luminaires, enabling installation using the same supports as the original luminaires. This facilitated the renovation project significantly. Valopaa also determined the luminosity and the lighting pattern for the site.
“There were a total of 152 luminaires to be changed. The project took seven working days, and was done in late October. I think the result is very good all in all´, Rantamölö appraises.
Also Risto Teppo from the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment was satisfied with the results of the renovation project. Energy savings – which was the ultimate reason for the renovation – are great with the new LED luminaires. The original luminaires were 50W HQL. Now the lighting is implemented with 11 W LED luminaires, creating an even more imposing illumination.
However, the renewal of the lighting was not inspired by aesthetic reasons, but for much more mundane reasons. Risto Teppo, an engineer working at the Transport and Infrastructure Lapland Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, tells that an EU directive prohibits the HQL – mercury vapour – luminaires in 2015. The directive originates from energy saving objectives. This is why also the Lapland Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment has started to replace the HQL luminaires gradually at different lighting sites.
“With this bridge we got the idea that we could try something new, and thus we settled upon LED lighting´, he says.
“…Valopaa could tailor the new luminaires“
The luminaires needing replacement were situated at the outer side beam of the bridge, at a very difficult location to reach. Their maintenance always required using lift cage, which would lower the maintenance person down to the luminaire. The LED luminaires were chosen specifically for the reason that they are reliable and have long lifetime, which reduces the need for maintenance.
Suomen Sähkörakennus Oy operated as the contractor in this renovation project. The CEO Marko Rantamölö was pleased with the fact that Valopaa could tailor the new luminaires, enabling installation using the same supports as the original luminaires. This facilitated the renovation project significantly. Valopaa also determined the luminosity and the lighting pattern for the site.
“There were a total of 152 luminaires to be changed. The project took seven working days, and was done in late October. I think the result is very good all in all´, Rantamölö appraises.
Also Risto Teppo from the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment was satisfied with the results of the renovation project. Energy savings – which was the ultimate reason for the renovation – are great with the new LED luminaires. The original luminaires were 50W HQL. Now the lighting is implemented with 11 W LED luminaires, creating an even more imposing illumination.
Project: Lighting renovation of the Jätkänkynttilä bridge
Client: Lapland Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment
Contractor: Suomen Sähkörakennus Oy
Luminaires: Valopaa