The condition of small but critical roads is vital for the Finnish forest industry. These roads carry a large proportion of timber and their poor condition can have a decisive impact on the competitiveness and reliability of the industry. One example of such roads is the Suolijoki road in Tervola, which is central to the forest industry and other economic activities. The forest industry association has expressed its concerns about the current state of the roads and called for measures to repair and maintain them.
It points out that Finland has some 66 000 km of regional and interurban roads, of which as many as 30 000 km are of particular importance to the forest industry. These roads are vital for transporting timber from forests to processing plants and on to export ports. The condition of the road network is therefore directly linked not only to the efficiency of the forest industry but also to the efficiency of the economy as a whole. In response, the forest industry suggests that road funding should take into account the number of heavy vehicles travelling, rather than just the overall traffic volume, which would more effectively demonstrate the importance of the roads.
Significant savings can be achieved through proactive road rehabilitation. The forest industry points out that proactive maintenance can achieve savings of up to 60% compared to a situation where roads have to be repaired only after serious damage has occurred. This is comparable to dental care, where regular maintenance and anticipation can prevent bigger and more costly problems. So it's not just about money, but also about efficiency and safety in the transport chain.
The forest industry has pointed out that the status quo helps to make maintenance more cost-effective. Road maintenance and repair can be strategically invested in order to achieve the maximum impact with the resources available. This would not require additional funding, but a more strategic and appropriate use of existing budgets. The forest industry stresses that the right maintenance methods and schedules can significantly improve the condition of roads while ensuring the competitiveness and efficiency of the industry.
Poor road conditions affect the entire transport chain, increase the costs of braking and can affect the availability of raw materials for industrial use. The forest industry is therefore actively involved in the planning and implementation of road maintenance and repair. The aim is a long-term, sustainable road network that can serve both the forest industry and other transport users efficiently and reliably.
