Helsinki rail works disrupt travel across key roads

Large tram construction projects are disrupting travel on Helsinki’s main roads this autumn, Yle reports. Maps prepared by the broadcaster show major works concentrated on key routes into and through the city, alongside thousands of other excavation projects.

Construction of the West Tram is under way on Runeberginkatu, near the start of Turunväylä, along Vihdintie and on Huopalahdentie. The work is affecting daily journeys, particularly where routes are used for commuting, said Lotta Aittokallio, a project manager with the City of Helsinki’s transport and street planning service.

The West Tram project also includes other street infrastructure, such as municipal utilities and changes to the surrounding street environment. Aittokallio said the city’s strategy calls for more rail transport and sustainable urban development.

About 3,000 excavation permits each year

Helsinki issues about 3,000 excavation permits annually, a figure that has remained relatively steady throughout the decade. Work begins after the ground thaws, around March, and continues until frost returns, usually in November. Construction activity peaks in summer and autumn as projects are completed before winter.

In addition to major tram and bridge projects, road users face excavation work across the city, including in Töölö, on Bulevardi and Esplanadi, by Töölönlahti, and in Jätkäsaari. The city cannot prevent all projects from taking place in the same areas: streets are also dug up for cable, pipe and sewer work by telecom operators, HSY and Helen.

The city tries to coordinate its projects with work by utility operators so that several jobs can be carried out together and the same stretch of road does not have to be opened repeatedly, Aittokallio said.

The city’s own investment budget for street projects is at the same level as last year, but below the funding available in 2022 and 2023, when the Crown Bridges and the tram line from Kalasatama to Pasila were being built. Mäkelänkatu is currently one of the city’s largest construction projects. In Kalasatama, some street areas have already been closed for work on the Junatie metro bridge, which will halt metro traffic for seven months next year.

More large projects are being planned

Among the next major projects are turning Kaivokatu into a street for public transport, renovating the metro station at Rautatientori, and building a light rail line from Hakaniemi to Länsisatama. The city is also considering the possible construction of a port tunnel.

Aittokallio said the city aims to ensure that simultaneous large construction projects do not cause unreasonable disruption, and that each project will eventually be completed before the next begins.