Located at the boundary point of the Hermanni, Vallila, Toukola and Kumpula districts, the Hämeentie bridge and its junction form a significant entry point into the inner city of Helsinki from Lahdenväylä. At the junction, car traffic is directed from Kustaa Vaasan tie to Hermannin rantatie and Hämeentie, and further into the street network of the inner city. At the moment, Hämeentie is used for northbound bus and tram traffic from the city centre, while the tramway from Kalasatama to Pasila runs under the Hämeentie bridge. The Pasilanbaana route crossing the area is also an important part of the cycling route network of Helsinki.
The area will continue to be an important transport hub
The Hämeentie bridge has reached the end of its technical service life. The City is planning to replace the bridge with a new traffic solution in which the street would run at the ground level along Hämeentie in the future and a new bridge for motorised traffic would be built from Kustaa Vaasan tie to Hermannin rantatie. Car traffic would largely be directed towards Hermannin rantatie and the upcoming Sörnäistentunneli tunnel. The new traffic solution would make leaving the tunnel more efficient and safer for cars. The plan will also facilitate the construction of a Viikki–Malmi tramway and new rail connections from Kustaa Vaasan tie towards Vallilanlaakso and Kalasatama, further increasing the significance of the area as a public transport hub.
The planning area is also an important junction point for the ecological and recreation network of Helsinki. The Nylanderinpuisto park located in the area connects the extensive green areas of Vallilanlaakso to the Toukola and Hermanni waterfront parks. The Kumpulanpuro creek running through the park is the southernmost still partially open water stream in the Helsinki peninsula and a valuable part of the city’s blue network. Dismantling the current bridge and car ramps will make it possible to build green areas on their former sites and improve the walking and cycling conditions across Hämeentie. The City will aim to find new locations in the planning area for the basketball court and skatepark located under the bridge.
From industrial buildings to apartments
The plan is to develop the block located at the Hämeentie and Haukilahdenkatu intersection simultaneously with the traffic project. The block is the last remaining section of a more extensive industrial area located between the old Hermanni residential area and Kyläsaari. Today, the block features small industrial and commercial buildings, the oldest preserved one being from 1952 and the newest one from 1991.
In the future, new rail investments will make the block area a significant rail traffic hub with high-quality cycling connections, due to which the City will create plans for making land use on the block more efficient and converting the block for residential use alongside the detailed plan amendment. The detailed plan amendment will facilitate the construction of new housing, primarily relying on sustainable modes of transport, on the edge of a verdant park environment as a natural extension of the Hermanni and Vallila districts.
Take part in a plan walk and come talk with the planning officers
The participation and assessment plan for the project will be on display from 20 March to 13 April 2026 at hel.fi/suunnitelmat.
A plan walk regarding the plan will be held on Tuesday 24 March 2026 at 17.00. The meeting place will be at Hämeentie 103 (the intersection of Hämeentie and Haukilahdenkatu).
The plan walk will involve a tour of the detailed plan area together with the City’s planning officers. At the event, you will get to familiarise yourself with the planning area under the guidance of specialists, discuss the starting points of the detailed plan, and ask the planning officers questions and give them your opinions.
The event will start with an introduction and discussion that you can attend even if you are unable to participate in the actual walk. Please note that the event will be held entirely outdoors, so dressing for the weather is recommended.
As the planning progresses, a detailed plan proposal will be prepared and presented to the Urban Environment Committee in autumn 2026, according to the current estimate. Once the plan proposal has been processed by the Committee, it will be put on public display, whereby residents can comment on it.
