Helsinki central station area to become car-free with major redesign

Helsinki’s city council has approved a master plan that will transform the area around the central railway station into a largely car-free zone, with the first changes visible by 2028–2029, Yle reports. The full redesign, however, will not be completed until the early 2030s.

Kaivokatu to close to private vehicles

The most significant change will be the removal of car traffic from Kaivokatu, a key street adjacent to the station. The road will be rebuilt with waterproofing repairs, initially reducing lanes to one per direction before eventually banning private vehicles entirely. Trams will also face temporary disruptions during construction, though the pedestrian tunnel beneath the station will remain open.

Once complete, Kaivokatu will become a pedestrian-focused street with tram tracks, benches, planted areas, and terraces in front of the City Center shopping mall—commonly known as the “Makkara-talo” (Sausage House). The plantings will include trees, shrubs, seasonal flowers, and ground-cover vegetation. Drop-off zones for passengers will be relocated: one near the National Theatre to the east and another between the Stockmann department store and the Post Office to the west.

Four tram tracks and three stops planned for station forecourt

The station’s forecourt will eventually feature four parallel tram tracks and three stops. The central and southernmost stops will be built in the first phase (2028–2029), while the northernmost will follow in the 2030s. The area will also gain low-maintenance plantings designed to preserve sightlines between landmarks like the Ateneum art museum and the National Theatre.

Bus terminals relocated, Vilhonkatu to become two-way

Buses arriving from the east will continue to serve Rautatientori (Railway Square) but will be rerouted entirely onto Vilhonkatu, which will convert to two-way traffic. The buses will loop around the terminal in the same manner currently used at Elielinaukio. By the 2030s, buses will no longer use Kaivokatu, and new platforms will replace the existing ones.

For buses arriving from the west, the terminal will move from Elielinaukio to Kamppi—a shift dependent on separate zoning changes for Elielinaukio. If approved, the southern entrance to the Eliel parking garage (near Stockmann) will close, though the northern entrance (near Oodi Central Library) will remain.

Ateneum forecourt to become a park-like space

The area in front of the Ateneum will be redesigned as a landscaped park, with trams running through it. Plantings will be styled like an ornamental garden, featuring shaped shrubs and low-growing vegetation to avoid blocking views. Natural stone will be used for paving, and the area will receive daily maintenance as one of the city center’s premier public spaces.

Nearby parking will be available at the WTC parking garage (east of Ateneum) and Eliel Parkki (west of the station). A single lane for access to the WTC garage will be retained along the Ateneum’s edge.

Taxi stands and Asema-aukio upgrades

The taxi rank in front of Stockmann will remain until at least 2029, after which taxis will relocate to Postikatu (west) and Vilhonkatu (east). Asema-aukio (Station Square) will gain diverse, modern plantings—including both deciduous and evergreen trees—to ensure year-round visual appeal. However, structural limitations and heavy foot traffic will restrict the extent of greenery.

The city emphasizes that while the area will see significant changes, the phased timeline means cars will continue to use Kaivokatu for several more years. Metro station repairs will also cause temporary service disruptions during the construction period.