The City of Helsinki is planning changes in the pedestrian and cycling arrangements at the western end of Lastenkodinkatu and the southern end of Mechelininkatu and Baana. The changes will improve connections to the former Maria hospital area, where a new start-up campus is planned. The changes are based on a traffic plan drawn up in connection with the detailed plan for the area.
New pedestrian and cycling route between Mechelininkatu and Lastenkodinkatu
The plan includes a bridge over Baana at the western end of Lastenkodinkatu to the Maria hospital area, with a ramp from the bridge’s Maria-side end to Baana. The bridge is intended for pedestrians, cyclists and rescue vehicles. According to the street plan proposal, the parking spaces at the western end of Lastenkodinkatu will be removed to create a square. The bridge work is expected to begin in late 2023.
The new bridge will lead to the Marianpuisto park, planned in the middle of the future start-up campus. Marianpuisto will include trees from the gardens of the historically important Maria Hospital grounds. New planting will consist mainly of old plant species. The park will be created in place of the current asphalted courtyard and a residential building from the 1980s, which will be demolished. There will also be a connection from Mechelininkatu to Baana via new stairs and a ramp through Marianpuisto.
Baana’s south end rerouted
The Baana basketball court will be moved to the south, closer to the Ruoholahdenkatu end. The current petanque field is to be removed and replaced by a planting area. The area is to have three new planting areas and 13 new trees. The existing planting areas with benches and wooden surfaces will be renovated. The part of the Love Helsinki artwork located on Baana will be moved a few metres to the north.
Mechelininkatu to get improved pedestrian and bicycle routes
Pedestrian and cycling arrangements are also to be improved at the southern end of Mechelininkatu, between Länsilinkki and Mechelininaukio.
The southern end of Mechelininkatu will get one-way cycle lanes on both sides, and the narrow pavement on the eastern side will be widened. Pedestrian and bicycle crossing arrangements at the intersections will be upgraded.
Mechelininkatu’s motor vehicle traffic will remain mostly unchanged, except that turning from Mechelininkatu to Lapinlahdentie when coming from the south is not allowed in the future to facilitate the intersection’s pedestrian and cycling arrangements.
The street construction work includes new municipal technology, such as water supply, telecommunications and network structures to serve, for example, the Maria start-up campus.
The new block to bring businesses and services to the Maria area
The former Maria hospital area is to have a new start-up and technology company hub in connection with the current Maria 01. The new block is to include accommodation services, restaurants, business premises and event spaces. The area is reserved for a consortium formed by YIT and Keva to plan the project. The actual building construction is planned to begin in 2024.
Give feedback on the plans
The street plan proposal for the bridge over Baana and its surroundings will be available on the City of Helsinki website as of 8 February, and you can give feedback to the planners until 21 February 2023. The proposal is broadly in line with the previous draft.
The draft street plans for the southern end of Mechelininkatu and Baana will be available on the city website as of 22 February. You can give feedback to the planners until 7 March 2023.