The bridge renovation has been planned in cooperation with experts from the Helsinki City Museum. The external changes to the bridge will be minor and the appearance of the bridge and the stone walls of the former railway tunnel will be preserved. The new bridge will look the same as the existing bridge.
The bridge will be replaced due to its poor condition. Using the bridge is safe until the renovation starts.
MPV-Infrarakenne Oy, a company specialising in bridges, has been chosen as the contractor for the renovation. The contractor was selected with a focus on a speedy completion of the project.
Changes to car routes
There will be changes to the motor vehicle routes by the bridge and around it in January. If possible, alternative routes should be favoured during the bridge renovation.
Connections to the bus terminals and parking halls (P-CityForum, P-Kamppi ja P-Presidentti) in Kamppi will remain available, but there will be a slight diversion of routes.
A temporary pedestrian bridge over the Baana
A temporary bridge for pedestrians will be built on the east side of Arkadiankatu over the Baana. The aim is to maintain the pedestrian route on the east side of the bridge until the temporary bridge is operational. Cyclists will also be able to use the bridge.
The Baana route underneath the bridge is expected to remain open for most of the renovation's duration, with some minor exceptions.
100-year lifespan for the new bridge
The bridge crossing the former harbour railway tunnel and the current Baana routes dates back to 1924. The bridge is being renovated due to its poor condition. Using the bridge is safe until the renovation starts. The City has studied the condition of its bridges over a long period of time and renovates or replaces bridges in poor condition every year. The new bridge should have a life expectancy of 100 years.