The centrepiece of Helsinki’s Crown Bridges programme, the 1,191-metre Kruunuvuorensilta, opened to pedestrians and cyclists on 18 April 2026, drawing more than 50,000 visitors during its opening weekend. The opening came ahead of the original construction completion target of late 2026, with the Crown Bridges Alliance confirming the light rail line is expected to be handed over to the client as early as summer 2026. Tram driver training on the new line will follow handover, with passenger services on tram routes 11 and 12 targeted for early 2027 at the latest.

A Record Structure That Has Already Won Recognition

Kruunuvuorensilta has been recognised as Finland’s Concrete Structure of the Year 2025, an award given since 1970 to projects that best represent advances in Finnish concrete construction. The bridge is also being described by Knight Architects as the world’s longest bridge dedicated exclusively to trams, pedestrians, and cyclists. Its 135-metre diamond-shaped pylon is now the tallest bridge structure in Finland. The project’s total carbon footprint is estimated at approximately 129,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, with low-emission materials and renewable energy sources used throughout to reduce construction-phase emissions, and the bridge itself is designed to serve the city for up to 200 years. This milestone aligns with continued progress on wider transit infrastructure in the Helsinki capital region, including the Vantaa Light Rail western section contract, where Destia has secured a €200 million second contract to advance construction works and expand the network’s long-term connectivity.

Project Overview

• Project Name: Crown Bridges Light Rail (Kruunusillat)
• Location: Helsinki, Finland (connecting Laajasalo island to Hakaniemi via Korkeasaari and Kalasatama)
• Developer/Owner: City of Helsinki, Urban Environment Division; Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd (Kaupunkiliikenne Oy)
• Total Cost/Value: Approximately €326 million for Phase 1 (bridges and light rail, as of December 2020 pricing); additional rolling stock and depot investment of €95 to €105 million
• Scale/Capacity: 10 kilometres of new double tram track; three new bridges; projected 37,000 daily passengers by 2040
• Construction Start: Autumn 2021
• Expected Completion: Phase 1 light rail handover expected summer 2026; passenger services targeted for early 2027
• Funding/Financing: City of Helsinki capital budget; Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority (HSY) co-investment
• Current Status: Kruunuvuorensilta open to pedestrians and cyclists since 18 April 2026; construction ahead of schedule; tram test runs underway
• Key Milestone: Kruunuvuorensilta opened April 2026 drawing 50,000 visitors in its opening weekend; named Finland’s Concrete Structure of the Year 2025

Project Team

• City of Helsinki, Urban Environment Division — Client and Project Lead
• Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd (Pääkaupunkiseudun Kaupunkiliikenne Oy) — Light Rail Operations Client
• Helsinki City Transport (HKL) — Rolling Stock Procurement
• YIT Infra Oy — Main Contractor (Crown Bridges Alliance and total contract)
• Kreate Oy — Main Contractor (total contract, joint with YIT)
• NRC Group Finland Oy — Alliance Contractor
• Ramboll Finland Ltd — Engineering and Design (Alliance)
• Sitowise Oy — Engineering and Design (Alliance)
• Sweco Finland Ltd — Engineering and Design (Alliance)
• WSP Finland Ltd — Bridge Design (Kruunuvuorensilta)
• Knight Architects Ltd (UK) — Bridge Architecture (Kruunuvuorensilta)
• Construction Company HTJ Oy — Bridge Construction Supervision
• Concrete Jungle Ltd — Durability Design of Concrete Structures
• Ruskon Betoni Etelä Oy — Concrete Supplier
• Hanning and Kahl — Track Equipment Supplier
• Škoda Transtech Oy — Light Rail Vehicle Manufacturer (ForCity Smart Artic X54)
• HSL (Helsinki Region Transport) — Passenger Service Planning Authority

Reported 19th September 2023: Helsinki’s Crown Bridges Project, a massive infrastructure initiative, has reached a significant milestone. It involves the construction of three new bridges and a tramway connecting Hakaniemi to Laajasalo, along with extensive civil engineering, road construction, and municipal infrastructure work. The project is now over halfway completed and remains on schedule, with passenger tram service set to commence in 2027.

Progress in Hakaniemi and Kruununhaka Areas

The first completed segment of this ambitious project was the Näkinsilta bridge, dedicated to pedestrians and cyclists, inaugurated in June. Noisy waterfront retaining wall construction, pile driving, and municipal infrastructure work in areas like Pohjoisranta, Hakaniemenranta, Merihaankatu, and Miina Sillanpäänkatu are largely finished.

One of the most extensive projects involves replacing the pressure sewage pipe from the city center. This includes temporary arrangements and a new pumping station beneath Näkinsilta. The unique steel structure of the new Hakaniemi Bridge is also fully installed.

Remaining tasks include completing the Hakaniemi Bridge, demolishing the old one, constructing Merihaan Bridge, securing legal water permits for dredging and filling near Merihaa, and renovating Siltasaarenkatu.

 

Maritime Work Around Korkeasaari

The central tramway bridge, Finkensilta, connecting Kalasataman Nihti and Korkeasaari, is nearing completion. Kruunuvuorensilta, Finland’s longest bridge at 1200 meters, is making progress. It has had over 400 meters of bridge deck cast, and the foundation work for the central support, the pylon, is complete. This pylon will rise to the bridge deck level, reaching its final height of 135 meters in 2025 when steel cables supporting the bridge deck will be installed. Tramway tracks, electrical systems, and road and tramway construction around Korkeasaari are ongoing.

Also read: HS2 Engineers Complete UK’s Heaviest Bridge Installation

Progress in Laajasalo

In Kruunuvuorenranta’s Haakoninlahti, tracks and shared utility poles are ready to support street lighting and tramway overhead lines. The largest municipal infrastructure works on Koirasaarentie are nearly complete. The significant upcoming task involves reducing a steep hill at the eastern end of Koirasaarentie to accommodate the tramway, requiring extensive rock excavation.

 

Project Overview

The Crown Bridges Project aims to provide a swift and reliable transport connection from Laajasalo to the city center. It will alleviate congestion in the eastern branches of the metro system and make various areas accessible by bicycle or on foot. The shortest route from Kruunuvuorenranta to the Central Railway Station will decrease from 11 km to 5.5 km.

 

Background

Construction began in autumn 2021, with Helsinki City Council approving the project’s maximum price in August 2021. The contract for the total project was awarded to YIT Suomi Oy and Kreate Oy in spring 2021.

The Alliance, selected as the implementer of the light rail section in late 2019, initiated a development phase in collaboration with the City of Helsinki. The decision to implement the project was made by Helsinki City Council in August 2016.

A transport connection design competition took place between 2011 and 2013, with the winning proposal being Gemma Regalis, designed by WSP Finland Ltd and Knight Architects Ltd.