Tampere to demolish Patosilta bridge, fate of hundreds of love locks uncertain

A popular pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Tammerkoski rapids in central Tampere will close in early June as part of a widening project that is expected to last until 2028, Yle reported on Thursday.

The Patosilta bridge, part of the Valssipadonraitti route, will be demolished and replaced. Hundreds, possibly thousands, of love locks attached to its railings over the years hang in limbo. City construction engineer Jukka Rantala said no final decision has been made on the locks, but owners will be able to retrieve them when demolition begins next spring. Locks can already be removed if the key is still available.

The city is also considering turning remaining locks into a piece of art. In 2012, artists Antti Pussinen and Kaija Papu caused a controversy by removing locks without permission and melting them into a cube as a symbol of love.

Work will start by widening the passage through the protected Frenckell factory building, overseen by the Pirkanmaa provincial museum. The entire route from Puutarhakatu to Rongankatu will be widened by two metres, with separate lanes for walking (minimum 2.5 metres) and cycling (minimum 3 metres). The narrow bridge has seen several near-collisions between cyclists and sightseers.

A temporary bridge will be built below the central waterfall, between Koskipuisto and the old library park, and is expected to open within a few weeks in June. It will remain in use for the entire duration of the project until 2028.