Helsinki city council to vote on permanently closing central street to cars

Helsinki’s city council will decide Monday on a historic proposal to transform Kaivokatu, a key downtown street, into a car-free transit corridor, reports Finnish broadcaster Yle. The vote follows years of debate over reducing vehicle traffic in the city center.

The plan would replace private car lanes with expanded tram lines and wider pedestrian zones. Supporters argue the change will create a greener, safer, and more inviting urban space in central Helsinki. A live stream of the council session begins at 17:55 local time.

If approved, the redesign would mark one of the most significant shifts in Helsinki’s traffic policy in decades, prioritizing public transport and walkability over car access near the central railway station.