Helsinki metro station to close for 11 months as officials propose e-bikes and ferries as alternatives

The Helsinki City Council has approved a plan to renovate the Junatie metro bridge between Kalasatama and Sörnäinen stations, requiring an 11-month closure of Kalasatama metro station starting in late spring 2027, Yle Uutiset reports.

During a lengthy debate on Wednesday evening, council members expressed concerns that replacement bus services alone would be insufficient for the 80,000 daily commuters affected by the shutdown. Proposals included expanding electric bike-sharing options, subsidising private bike purchases, and introducing ferry connections to Kalasatama.

Green League councillor Alma Tuuva called for increasing the number of city bikes in eastern Helsinki during the closure, while National Coalition Party’s Mirita Saxberg suggested ferry routes as a partial solution. Access to the Kalasatama health and welfare centre was also highlighted as a priority, particularly for vulnerable groups such as substance users.

The 482-metre Junatie bridge, built in 1973 and in use since 1982, suffers from severe structural deficiencies. The renovation will split metro services into two sections—western routes terminating at Hakaniemi and eastern routes at Herttoniemi—with the full closure lasting seven months, plus two months of preparatory work before and after.

Preparatory work is set to begin in April–May 2026, with the total project budget capped at €107 million. The metro disruption is scheduled from late spring to late autumn 2027.