A bridge designer is a bridge-builder between safety, visuality and costs

In a way, it was pure chance that Pekka Pulkkinen, who has a Master of Science (Technology) in Civil Engineering, happened to specialise in bridge building.

“When I graduated in 1980, there was a lot of unemployment and an oversupply of designers. By accident, I got a job at the SuunnitteluKortes design firm in Oulu, where I have worked my whole career, even though the company has changed its name. The design of the Lumberjack’s Candle Bridge in Rovaniemi took place at that time, and I played a big part in it as a designer,” Pekka reminisces.

Completed in 1989 at the confluence of the Kemijoki and Ounasjoki rivers, the Lumberjack’s Candle Bridge was the first cable-stayed bridge in Finland used for road traffic.

“The technology was new, and it attracted interest internationally. Lumberjack’s Candle was the first step towards internationality. The contractor was Swedish, the cable supplier Swiss, and the design auditor German.”

At the time, paying attention to the visual appearance of a bridge was a new thing in Finland.

“It was the beginning of the way of thinking that price was not the sole criterion for selecting a bridge in a design competition. The Lumberjack’s Candle Bridge is a Rovaniemi landmark, much like the Tähtiniemi Bridge in Heinola or the Raippaluoto Bridge in Mustasaari. These days, much more attention is paid to the visual appearance and environmental suitability of bridges. Of course, designers must also stay within budget and the starting point of design always is to make the bridge durable and safe.”

Unforgettable burgers on an excursion to London

Pekka has fond memories of his time as a student in the University of Oulu. As he is from Kärsämäki he had to leave home already at the start of upper secondary school since the nearest school was in Haapavesi. He followed his friends to Oulu to study mechanical engineering but changed to construction engineering after his first year of study. Pekka was also an active member of the then Builders’ Guild (novadays Ympäristörakentajakilta ry. Guild).

“I was the guild’s Master of Excursions. I vividly remember our excursion to London in the spring of 1978. For many, it was the first time flying. Probably for me, too, if memory serves. We earned the money for the trip by raking leaves at a graveyard and selling advertisements.”

The official excursion programme included visits to various sites. However, the most memorable thing for Pekka was a particular culinary experience.

“A good mate of mine said he was going to take us for these amazing burgers, the likes of which we’d never had before. And so he took us to a McDonald’s in London! Fair enough, the burgers tasted heavenly!” says Pekka.

The University of Oulu gave Pekka a good foundation for his career.

“The University of Oulu is really strong in mechanics, which stems from the machine side of things. It is an absolute strength. I also included in my studies a special course on bridge building which, as far as I know, was then only available at Helsinki University of Technology in addition to Oulu. Even though it was only one course, it was important in the sense that I had no fear at all that I would not make it in the field of bridge design.”

You wear the bridge designer’s hat for life

Currently, the 67-year-old Pekka works part time as a Leading Consultant at WSP Finland. He is planning to retire during this year. One of his biggest design projects involves the Chenab River railway bridge in the north of India. WSP has acted as the main consultant and bridge designer in the project. Built at a height of 359 metres, the bridge is nearing completion. However, it may still take several years to complete the section of railway passing through the mountains as there are several bridges and tunnels on the route.

“I still have to finish the bridge test programme, including loading tests and other factors for the contractor to verify that the bridge is viable. The Chenab Bridge has been a long undertaking, which started with planning the tendering stage nearly 20 years ago. From time to time, the project has stalled due to the political situation and technical challenges in the area."

Once he has retired, Pekka plans to engage in his hobbies, such as spending time at his summer cottage and motorcycling. Travel is also close to his heart, and his next trip for the autumn is already booked. The destination is Oslo.

When travelling home or abroad, Pekka admits that he looks at the local bridges and their designs. It seems that the bridge designer’s hat is not easily coming off.

“There’s a group of us senior constructors going on the trip. There are nice bridges in Oslo, too,” says Pekka."

Text: Kati Valjus
Photo: Juha Sarkkinen

Pekka Pulkkinen was named as the Alumn of the Year 2024 at the University Gala on November 8th 2024.

Pekka Pulkkinen is the Alumn of the Year – work continues on the world's tallest railway bridge

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