From Kalasatama to Pasila - sustainable cross-link in Helsinki

The Kalasatama-to-Pasila project’s hallmark is excellence in community planning. Our experts are involved in designing the tramline extending from Nihti through Kalasatama Centre to Pasila, as well as numerous streets and green areas associated with the project.

Location

Helsinki, Finland

Kalasatama is one of Helsinki's leading regional development projects. Over the next 20 years, the former port and industrial area will be transformed into a green enticing residential area, with thousands of new jobs planned. According to forecasts, Kalasatama will have about 25,000 residents by 2040 while 10,000 people will work in the area.

Collaboration-based urban development

This developing region needs well-functioning transport connections to support it. Being implemented using an alliance model, this major project involves the construction of a tramline from Nihti via Kalasatama to Pasila. The 4.5 km-long cross-link will connect to the existing public transport network, ensuring smooth journeys for commuters and area residents.

The city of Helsinki is being developed on a collaborative basis. Our transport, urban design and infrastructure experts are all involved in the alliance's core group, Sörkän Spora, working closely with their counterparts from Destia, Sweco and Helsinki City Hall. Let's take a trip from Kalasatama to Pasila as we get acquainted with the project with the help of our experts.

Urban planning and well-being

Embracing sustainable construction solutions, preserving biodiversity and constructing a welcoming urban environment are the guiding principles of the Kalasatama-to-Pasila project. BREEAM Infrastructure certification guides the design, procurement and construction choices, covering both social and environmental aspects.

“The Kalasatama tramline alliance project has facilitated the sharing of much wider expertise than usual. New opportunities have materialized as innovations have emerged across organizations. Regular joint planning meetings ensure that the tramline’s broader urban environment will be shaped by unified high-quality solutions,” said Pia Salmi, Project Director at WSP's Urban Design Unit.

In November 2021, the project development phase moved to the implementation phase. The goal is to complete the urban environment in 2023.

“We have started getting ready for the construction phase, including participating in the tree removal planning and preparing to transfer the trees. Along the Hermanni waterfront, the best specimens have already been selected for relocation to Vallilanlaakso,” said Pia Salmi.

She added: “Green roofs planted with drought tolerant vegetation will be installed at tram stops on the Kumpula Campus (University of Helsinki). Different plants are tested in the summer of 2022 to find the most suitable ones to be used in all the railway stops. We hope that they will be more visible from the roofs and will attract a lot of pollinators. In addition, the railway sites will be covered with grass stone in all possible areas to produce a greener end result.”

Scheduled start of operations:

2024

Length of tramline:

4.5 km

Agile transport hubs and sustainable mobility

Once completed, the Kalasatama tramline will be an efficient and fast transportation link. It will make trips within Kalasatama area while offering a transversal trunk connection between Kalasatama and Pasila. In addition, it connects to major public transport hubs. The goal is to begin operations in autumn 2024.

Sustainable mobility solutions are reflected not only in public transport planning but also in the cityscape development. The goal is to create a comfortable and diversified environment that entices residents of the area to cycle, walk or use public transport instead of driving. Hermanni's coastal road, part of the planned area, is one of the city's main entrance points, so motorists’ needs will also be considered.

“When designing transport connections, a functional city is first and foremost something that is built. Solutions need to be sustainable and adapted to future needs. The project’s starting point is the general plan for the tramline, which was drawn up at an earlier stage during which the route layout was largely decided. When the development phase began, traffic concept preparations were started. In addition, master plan solutions were examined and partly changed. Based on design reviews, the project's depot connections were changed to run on different routes,” said Jussi Borgenström, WSP's Project Manager responsible for traffic planning.

The first tasks in the development phase involved the preparation of a traffic plan. This plan defines how the street space will be divided up between the various modes of transport and how bicycle parking will be organized.

Now that the main lines have been mapped out and we are moving into the implementation phase, the key task is to plan arrangements during work hours. Late last year, a detour was opened up on Hermanni's coastal road, with traffic being diverted entirely to Kyläsaarenkatu. Thanks to this bypass, a large uniform area has been freed up for site use, significantly reducing the construction turnaround time.

Jussi Borgenström Project Manager, Traffic Planning

Jussi Borgenström Project Manager, Traffic Planning

Massive infrastructure built in stages

In addition to the tramline, massive amounts of other infrastructure will be constructed, ranging from streets, buildings and parks to water supply networks. Our designers are responsible for the street environment and geo-design, working closely with alliance partners. We are also acting as project manager for the infrastructure design, ensuring that solutions overlap not only in terms of implementation, but also in terms of schedule and budget.

The planning of different street areas is guided by the urgency and scope of the construction work. Close co-operation in the areas of design and construction is aimed at finding low-cost, high-quality solutions, taking into account the phases and pace of construction.

“Construction work has already started at the southern end of the tramline in the Nihti area, where the infrastructure pre-construction phase began in the early autumn, as well as in Pasila, where construction has started on a few sections of the tramline. In addition, piling is underway on Hermanni's coastal road as traffic is being diverted via the detour created late last year,” said Jari Nihtilä, Chief Infrastructure Designer at WSP.

Infrastructure planning takes into account not only high-quality end results, but also arrangements during construction and traffic passing by the construction site. This is facilitated by the agile flow of information between technology groups and contractors. The shared goal is to minimize traffic disruption and create a welcoming urban environment that serves the needs of a growing population by providing sustainable solutions.

Sustainable Development Goal 9 - Industry, innovation and infrastructure Sustainable Development Goal 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities