On 25 August 2021, Helsinki City Council approved the construction phase of the Crown Bridges tramway between Hakaniemi and Laajasalo and the new cost estimate.
In phase 1, a tramway connection will be built from Laajasalo to Hakaniemi. The revised cost estimate for connection is around EUR 326 million. The work to be carried out during phase 1 includes the construction of a tramway between Laajasalo and Hakaniemi and the construction of three bridges (Merihaka Bridge, Finke Bridge and Kruunuvuori Bridge). A temporary terminus will be built in Hakaniemi.
The planning and preparation of phase 2, i.e. the implementation of a tramway between Hakaniemi and Helsinki Central Railway Station, continues. The cost estimate for phase 2 will be submitted for approval at a later stage. The current rough estimate of the cost is EUR 10 million.
The Crown Bridges project is carried out in multiple phases.
The first phase of the project will be carried out as a combination of two contracting models:
The Crown Bridges alliance will build the tramway connection between Laajasalo and Hakaniemi and the Merihaansilta bridge. The aim is to start construction of the tramway line this autumn.
In addition to the City of Helsinki and Helsinki City Transport, the alliance includes NRC Group Finland Oy and YIT Finland Ltd, Ramboll Finland Oy, Sitowise Oyj and Sweco Infra & Rail Oy.
The all-in contract will include two bridges between Kalasatama and Kruunuvuorenranta (Finke Bridge and Kruunuvuori Bridge) as well as construction in the land areas in Korkeasaari. The contract was won in May 2021 by the Crown Bridges Consortium formed by Kreate Oy and YIT Finland Ltd. According to the tender, the total price of the contract is approximately EUR 123 million. The construction of the bridge contract is planned to start most likely next autumn.
In phase 2, a tramway will be built between Hakaniemi and Helsinki Central Railway Station. The construc-tor and costs of the second phase will be decided later. Construction of phase 2 will begin after the year 2026.
Over at Laajasalo, the implementation and costs of the tramway section of Yliskylä will be reevaluated. A separate decision will be made concerning the construction, costs, and schedule of this third phase.
In addition to the tramway, the Crown Bridges Alliance is also planning to build other projects related to the city’s development. These include, for example, the construction of a new Hakaniemi Bridge to re-place the old, dilapidated bridge and the construction of new streets in Hakaniemi. The Crown Bridges Alliance has begun the construction of these projects last spring in Hakaniemi and Kruunuvuorenranta.