The purpose of the fee increases is to reduce the inconvenience that roadworks cause to residents, businesses and properties. Higher fees encourage worksites to work faster and reserve smaller areas for their use.
“The aim of the increases is to encourage worksites to only reserve the area that is actually needed for the works instead of unnecessarily closing off areas to the public,” says Chief Inspector (acting) Matias Vile from the City of Helsinki.
Worksites in the city centre are the most expensive
The fees for using areas for roadworks are determined by the location and size of the site. The fees are highest in the city centre and lowest in undeveloped areas. The fees are also higher along major transport routes, key public transport routes and main cycling routes. The fee is lowest for sites smaller than 60 m2 and highest for sites larger than 1,000 m2.
For example, the maximum daily fee for excavation work in the city centre was previously €371, but after the increase it will be €446.
Helsinki aiming to reduce the inconvenience of roadworks by raising fees
According to the Helsinki City Strategy 2025–2029, the inconvenience caused by roadworks and excavation should be kept to a minimum, and the City must minimise the inconvenience caused by worksites to residents. The fees for using areas for roadworks were last increased in 2025.
“In the case of the largest roadworks, the fee increases have led to a faster completion of works and a faster restoration of streets after the works,” says MatiasVile.
The 20% increase in fees for using areas for roadworks is in line with the change in the consumer price index. The decision regarding the fee increases was made by the Environment and Permits Sub-committee of the Urban Environment Committee at its meeting on 29 January 2026.