Turku tram project faces strong opposition from Hämeenkatu business owners

Most business owners along Turku’s Hämeenkatu street oppose the planned tram line, fearing prolonged construction will drive away customers, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

The city council will decide on Monday whether to proceed with the long-discussed tram project, which would run through Hämeenkatu in the city centre. Construction is set to begin in 2029, with work lasting until 2031.

Yle surveyed 18 local business owners, of whom 12 expressed strong opposition. Many fear the multi-year disruption will devastate their trade, while others worry about losing parking spaces and access routes. Only six respondents viewed the project neutrally or positively.

“I’ll have to leave”
Tuija Rämö-Suvanto, who has run a craft shop on Hämeenkatu for 26 years, said she would close her business if the tram is built. “There’s no other option—I’ll have to go before construction even starts,” she told Yle.

Concerns also include the city’s clay soil complicating construction and the project’s €500 million price tag. Some business owners declined to be named, fearing backlash from customers.

Mixed reactions beyond Hämeenkatu
While opposition is strong along the proposed route, Turku’s business association reports a more balanced split among its members. “Opinions are evenly divided—some support it, some oppose it, and others are cautious,” said Karoliine Sirvidas, the association’s executive director.

Businesses less reliant on walk-in customers, such as a driving school and a tattoo studio, were more open to the tram. Viorica Dina, a seamstress who previously used trams in Bucharest, praised the idea, calling public transport the most convenient way to travel in cities.

Construction to last two years
If approved, Hämeenkatu would undergo excavation and rebuilding in three or four phases between 2029 and 2031, according to Laura Klefbohm of Turku Raitiotie Oy. She assured that vehicle access, pedestrian routes, and business deliveries would be maintained throughout.

However, some owners remain sceptical. Ursula Roslöf, who runs an art café, compared the project to Turku’s market square renovation, which took over four years. “The fear is that businesses will wither away before it’s even finished,” she said.

Archaeological digs—required due to the street’s historical significance—could also cause delays and unexpected costs, warned Tapani Vinkala, owner of an antique shop.

The city council’s decision will determine whether the tram, with stops planned near Turku Cathedral and the university, moves forward.