In addition to new residential buildings, a tram line connecting Nihti–Kalasatama Center–Vallilanlaakso–Pasila will be built along Kalasatama in the coming years. As part of the project, walking and cycling will also be made easier, and the appeal of the surroundings along the route will be improved.
A new tram line connecting Kalasatama and Pasila has been under construction since 2022. In addition to the main project, the street environment—that is, conditions for walking and cycling—is being improved in the area. In the Kalasatama area, streets and green spaces are being developed in Sörnäistenniemi, Sompasaari, and Verkkosaari, among other places.
In the coming years, Kalasatama will form a compact urban area as part of the city center, and once the new connection is completed, it will take just 15 minutes to get from Kalasatama to Pasila.
“The area needs a high-quality public transit system to be a functional and pleasant place for all city residents,” says Project Manager Niina Salojärvi of the “From Kalasatama to Pasila” project.
The goal is reliable public transit and sustainable modes of transportation
The “From Kalasatama to Pasila” project is backed by the Sörkän spora and Karaatti alliances, as well as their clients, the City of Helsinki and Kaupunkiliikenne Oy (formerly HKL).
According to Salojärvi, the new tram line will improve the reliability and capacity of public transportation. Helsinki is striving for an overall regional structure that supports sustainable modes of transportation—for example, a bicycle highway is being built in Vallilanlaakso to enable fast bicycle traffic. The tram line will also improve the accessibility and ease of use of public transportation.
Environmental goals guide the project’s construction. “The ‘From Kalasatama to Pasila’ project has ambitious environmental and sustainability goals, and construction has been planned to cause as little disruption as possible to the surrounding area,” says Salojärvi.
The ‘From Kalasatama to Pasila’ project serves as a pilot platform for improving sustainability. The project focuses in particular on reducing life-cycle impacts, promoting the circular economy, mitigating the negative effects of the construction site, and developing opportunities for stakeholder participation.
Development with a focus on residents and the environment
Construction is currently underway throughout the project area. The tram system in Pasila will be completed this year, as will nearly the entire Kalasatama section.
“Construction work in the Kalasatama area has progressed according to plan,” says Production Manager Sami Kari from Destia, one of the service providers in the Sörkän Spora alliance. According to Kari, track and surface structures as well as protective piping are currently being built in the area. From spring through the end of the year, technical systems and overhead wires for trams will be installed in the area.
“The area needs a high-quality public transportation system to be a functional and pleasant place for all city residents.”
— Niina Salojärvi, Project Manager, Kalasatama to Pasila Project
Residents of Kalasatama can provide feedback on the project and its progress through various channels. Salojärvi explains that feedback on the project is received daily, primarily through social media. “We respond to residents’ feedback, and it often leads to concrete actions,” says Salojärvi. So far, feedback has been received, for example, on improving signage related to construction work, site lighting, and the maintenance of walkways.
Kari views the new tram line as a positive addition from the perspective of Kalasatama residents. “Once completed, the connection from Kalasatama to Pasila will be absolutely top-notch,” Kari notes.
The new tram line is scheduled to be completed in August 2024. The project’s Facebook page provides up-to-date information on the project and its progress.