Finland’s longest bridge opens in Helsinki today

The 1.2-kilometre Kruunuvuori Bridge, now Finland’s longest, officially opens to pedestrians and cyclists in Helsinki on Saturday, reports national broadcaster Yle. A live stream of the inauguration begins at 13:50 local time.

The bridge connects the Kruunuvuorenranta district with the Korkeasaari Zoo and is part of a wider project to extend tram services from Hakaniemi to Laajasalo. Pedestrians will gain access at 14:00, while cyclists can use the bridge from 17:00, marked by a celebratory bike parade organised by the Helsinki Region Cycling Association.

Helsinki Mayor Daniel Sazonov and Deputy Mayor Johanna Laisaari will perform the ribbon-cutting at opposite ends of the bridge. The event will feature a food truck, a sauna tent, samba performers, and a brass band, with attendees encouraged to wear crowns in a nod to the bridge’s name.

At nearly 1.2 kilometres long, with pylons exceeding 130 metres in height, the €130 million Kruunuvuori Bridge is also Finland’s tallest and most expensive. It surpasses the Raippaluoto Bridge in Vaasa as the country’s longest and is reportedly the world’s longest bridge built exclusively for trams, pedestrians, and cyclists—though emergency vehicles may use it when necessary.

Tram passenger services are expected to begin by early 2027. Construction, which started in autumn 2021, finished ahead of schedule. Two other bridges in the same project, Merihaansilta and Finkensilta, are already in use.