Lastenkodinkatu bridge to be opened to pedestrians and cyclists on 4 June

“The Maria area is currently developing rapidly into a thriving hub for startups and innovation. The newly opened Lastenkodinkatu bridge will make travel smoother, better integrate the Maria area into the city centre and serve as a key part of the new-era Maria campus being developed,” said Helsinki Mayor Daniel Sazonov as he inaugurated the new Lastenkodinkatu bridge in the evening of Thursday 4 June.

The newly opened bridge will initially serve the start-up cluster Maria 01 in particular, and will provide access from Maria to Lastenkodinkatu or via the ramp to Baana.

New transport links and renewed municipal infrastructure to enable development of the area

The Maria Hospital area has been at the centre of many changes since the hospital ceased operations in 2014.

In 2024, the City began construction of the streets, parks and public spaces in the area to allow for more activity and access to the area. The most visible construction project in the City at the moment is the new bridge, but the Baana cycle path has also been realigned and Mechelininkatu has been improved for cycling and walking.

A cycling tunnel is planned for the area from Lapinlahdentie to the Baana path under Mechelininkatu. The Harbour tunnel will also be built to run partly under the area.

Supercell's headquarters will be built on the Maria site towards the end of the decade, while the City will continue to finish off the area by building, among other things, the lush Marianpuisto park. The aim is to create a pleasant area, accessed for example by way of the Baana and the new bridge.