The official alternative route runs through Itäväylä, Kallvikintie and Niinisaarentie to Vuosaari Harbour. In fact, we expect a clear increase in traffic volumes, which should be taken into account when planning your schedule.
“Based on tests carried out in the autumn, it is expected that outside peak hours, driving time using the alternative route from the harbour to the Itäväylä interchange will be approximately 7–8 minutes. In busier hours, when lorries are leaving the harbour, the driving time will be longer than this, which should be taken into account when planning schedules,” says Jukka Värri, Project Manager at Fintraffic.
This year, the backup route has been improved in many places. To ensure that traffic is as safe as possible, as a driver, take the new lane arrangements into account in advance:
- A second lane has been built for traffic turning in the direction of the harbour, ending fairly soon after the junction. For the efficient use of the green light, it is recommended that heavy traffic should use the middle, right-hand turning lane, and passenger car traffic should use the left-hand lane.
- An additional lane has been built in the Kallvikintie and Niinisaarentie roundabouts, allowing those heading north from Niinisaarentie to Itäväylä to easily continue straight. In addition, during peak hours, traffic from Fallpakantie should be taken into account by leaving the surroundings of the junction free.
The alternative route has been elevated to the highest maintenance class for the winter season, in addition to which ploughing equipment has been reserved for the winter maintenance of the route. Faster snow ploughing and more effective anti-slipperiness measures will make it easier for heavy traffic to drive in slippery conditions.
In addition to drivers, it is important for pedestrians and cyclists to be vigilant as traffic volumes and, in particular, heavy traffic volumes on the route increase. Especially in a pedestrian crossing, it should be ensured that the driver has noticed the crosser and remember that in heavy vehicles, visibility is more limited than in a passenger vehicle.
It is also worth remembering that the safety and functionality of the alternative route also in disruptions and exceptional situations depends on all its users. The law obligates road users to always give unhindered access to emergency vehicles.
Driver’s checklist during the closure of the road tunnel
- Reserve extra time for the journey, especially during peak traffic in the morning and afternoon.
- Follow the new lane arrangements on Itäväylä and Kallvikintie.
Remember a calm driving style and maintain a safe distance to the vehicle ahead. - Download the free Fintraffic App for up-to-date traffic information. Using the Fintraffic App and its map view, you can easily view weather cameras, traffic jams and various disruptions in the Vuosaari area.
Did you know this about lorry traffic at the harbour?
On a weekday, an average of five cargo vessels arrive at Vuosaari Harbour. Lorry traffic in the harbour also uses the official alternative route of the road tunnel. Occasionally, traffic may become congested, especially when the lorries that have been unloaded from ships leave the harbour. Harbour traffic is busy on weekdays, and the busiest time is usually 10:00–12:00. The traffic flow to the port is more even, but traffic spikes occur in traffic going away from the port when , for example, the Finbo Cargo, Finnstar, Finnlady and Finnmaid vessels unload: The first lorries often leave the harbour about 15 minutes after the ship arrives. You can anticipate your own schedule and check the daily timetables especially for freight vessels carrying lorries on The Port of Helsinki website.
Background information on the project
The Vuosaari road tunnel renovation project will overhaul the technical systems which have reached the end of their service life. In addition, tunnel structures will be repaired and the drainage and fire-extinguishing water systems under the tunnel will be replaced. Fintraffic is responsible for the Vuosaari road tunnel renovation project and for commissioning improvement work on the alternative route. The City of Helsinki and the Uusimaa ELY Centre will be responsible for planning improvements to the alternative route.
