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The length of the tram track network is a total of 117,1 km, 96 km of which is tram lines. Tram traffic has a total of 59,6 km of dedicated tram lanes in Helsinki. A total 6.1 km of track is grassed track, which looks attractive and reduces dust.
HKL Tram Traffic is responsible for maintenance and repairs to dedicated tram track running in a separate tram lane. Electrical maintenance is responsible for installing and maintaining the overhead wires. Track maintenance manufactures necessary track elements, such as junctions, points and curves.
The track network is being extended in the years ahead. The aim is to extend the tramlines to Jätkäsaari from the Ruoholahti direction in autumn 2011 and from the Kamppi direction in 2012. There are also plans to extend the area served by line 9 to the south and to Ilmalantori by autumn 2013. It is intended to start tram traffic between Laajasalo and the city centre in 2015-2016 and the first phase of tram traffic to Kalasatama in 2016-2017.
The tram track has a lot to cope with. For example in Mäkelänkatu the trams get to run at full speed in their own lane with no delays, while in the narrow streets of the city centre they have to share the space with the rest of the traffic. Helsinki’s track profile with its corners and hills is extremely demanding in places.
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