A new cycle path will run along the sidewalk in some places, but will be separated from the pedestrian path by stone stripes. In other places, cyclists will be directed onto a bike lane in the roadway. Both cycle paths and cycle lanes will be paved in red to clearly distinguish them from those intended for pedestrians and motor vehicles.
In some places, sidestrips will be used to separate pedestrian and cycle paths from the roadway and parking spaces. A sidestrip of at least one meter in width increases safety, particularly on heavily trafficked roads such as Hämeentie.
To improve pedestrian safety in particular, raised crosswalks will be built at the road’s intersections with Floorantie, Intiankatu, Kaironkatu and Kaanaankatu. At these intersections, the sidewalk will continue at the same height over the intersection. A driver approaching from a side street will notice the raised crosswalk from its raised curb.
Trees to be removed and planted
Although most of the trees lining the street in front of the Arabia factory block will remain, some will have to be removed due to changes in the street layout between Muotoilijankatu and the bus stops. New trees will be planted in the square in Arabianmäki Park. Individual trees will have to be removed in order to widen the street near Annala Park, but new trees will be planted in the park itself.
Impact on public transport
Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd will be renovating the tramway from the Kustaa Vaasa tie junction towards Arabia. These changes may affect traffic during construction and some tram services may have to be replaced by buses.
There will be fewer bus stops between Kokkosaarenkatu and Verkatehtaantie (two instead of the current three). However, there will still be only a relatively short, maximum 400–meter, walk to a bus stop on this section of the road.
Further information
Heikki Takainen
Project Manager
Urban Environment Division
Tel. +358 (0)9 310 38448
heikki.takainen@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program)