Helsinki preparing for a decade of significant infrastructure investments

“These infrastructure projects are essential, as the city needs modern infrastructure to function. More infrastructure works are due to start in the city centre in the coming years than perhaps ever before. The City of Helsinki is particularly keen to ensure that these works are carried out swiftly and that special attention is paid to the prevention and management of any inconvenience caused by the works,” says Mayor of Helsinki Daniel Sazonov.

Helsinki city centre has a great deal of municipal and rail infrastructure that is in need of renovation. Furthermore, climate objectives are steering the City to invest heavily in building an urban environment that is better able to adapt to a changing climate.  

“Timely renovation of streets and other infrastructure makes good economic sense, as postponing repairs increases both risks and costs. This is the surest way to avoid unpleasant surprises, such as water flooding the streets from a burst pipe. It is also important for Helsinki to be able to provide a reliable outlook that the built environment will remain in good condition in the future,” says Head of the City of Helsinki Urban Environment Division Ville Lehmuskoski.

Infrastructure investment in the billions

The City of Helsinki has earmarked approximately €480 million for infrastructure investments in its 2026 budget. In addition to this, the budget has allocated approximately €100 million for metro investments by Helsinki City Transport and approximately €120 million for rail investments by Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd.  In other words, Helsinki is preparing to invest almost €700 million in its infrastructure, either directly or through its subsidiaries, during 2026.  

The financial plan for the coming years also maintains a high level of investment. The amount of investments will decline somewhat in the 2030s, but even then the level of investment is expected to be around €400 million. This means that Helsinki will invest several billion euros in infrastructure over the next ten years. In addition to this, Helsinki City Transport and Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd will invest tens of millions of euros annually in rail infrastructure in the 2030s.

Improving the customer experience of construction sites 

Helsinki's aim is to plan the upcoming infrastructure projects so that they are implemented at a consistent pace over the coming years. The number of construction sites will be high, so particular attention is being paid to the coordination of impacts during construction. 

Helsinki must be accessible and the city centre must always remain functional for its visitors, even if there are several major construction projects going on at the same time. Because of this, the City will focus on improving the customer experience of construction sites and on high-quality communication during construction in the coming years.  

When it comes to timing the works, the City will also take into account the fact that there are other major investments being planned in the city centre as well.

“The new Museum of Architecture and Design planned for Makasiiniranta is scheduled to open by the end of 2030. The works will be timed to ensure that the major works along Esplanadi do not coincide with the opening of the new museum,” says Sazonov.

Major changes on Kaivokatu and in the Esplanadi area 

In the coming years, major works will be carried out at least on Kaivokatu, Esplanadi, Esplanadi’s side streets, in the Market Square and in the Makasiiniranta area.  The city centre will also be affected by the implementation of the West-Helsinki Light Rail project and the planned West Harbour Light Rail project, which proposes to extend the light rail line to Hakaniemi opened by the Crown Bridges project.

The changes to Kaivokatu and Esplanadi will follow the principles of the transport system plan for the city centre. The aim is to turn Kaivokatu, the street in front of Helsinki Central Railway Station, into a public transport street and to preserve the culturally and historically valuable areas along Pohjoisesplanadi and Eteläesplanadi. Pohjoisesplanadi and Eteläesplanadi will remain two-lane streets. 

Kaivokatu is currently one of Finland's busiest pedestrian areas, visited by approximately 200,000 pedestrians per day. However, according to a survey commissioned by the City, the area is perceived as unpleasant. The renovation of Kaivokatu will add greenery to the area and improve the quality of pedestrian connections.

Better water management

There is also an HSY project currently underway to build a new water supply tunnel in the Esplanadi area between 2025 and 2027. The new water supply tunnel will eliminate existing problems related to the condition of the sewer system and improve the management of wastewater overflows caused by heavy rainfall, thereby reducing pollution of the Baltic Sea. In addition to this, the project will provide the opportunity to separate the existing dilapidated combined sewers, which currently require frequent maintenance, cause odour problems and increase the risk of accidents.

The construction of the tunnel will take place underground, except for the construction of a maintenance shaft, sewers, emergency exits and ventilation pipe in the Esplanade Park area. Once the work is finished, the only visible parts will be the emergency exit and the ventilation pipe. No major temporary traffic arrangements are planned for the area for the duration of the renovation.

Bridge and rail projects to affect traffic arrangements

Significant impacts on traffic in the Helsinki city centre area will also be caused by the replacement of the Junatie metro bridge in 2026–2028 and the subsequent replacement of the Kulosaarensilta Bridge. Also currently underway is the renovation of Mäkelänkatu.  

Planning is also currently underway on the West-Helsinki Light Rail project. It will bring major construction sites to areas such as Vihdintie in western Helsinki, Huopalahdentie in Munkkiniemi, Topeliuksenkatu in Töölö and Fredrikinkatu in the city centre.