Since 21 October, pedestrian and cycling routes around Töölönlahti in Helsinki have changed while the city rebuilds Karamzininranta, the street area between Töölönlahdenpuisto Park and Finlandia Hall. Cyclists are now directed to the one-way cycle tracks on Mannerheimintie. The project turns a largely paved area, including a former car park, into a park-like square more closely connected to Töölönlahdenpuisto Park.

What changes for cyclists and pedestrians

Bicycle traffic around the site now follows these routes:

  • Arriving from the south: move onto Mannerheimintie at Töölönlahdenkatu at the latest.
  • Arriving from the north: follow the northern side of Helsinginkatu to the Opera intersection, then the one-way cycle track on the western side of Mannerheimintie.

The pedestrian route around Töölönlahti remains open, but the route in Hesperia Park changes and narrows in places. The city also asks people not to ride bicycles or e-scooters in Töölönlahdenpuisto park, as this may create dangerous situations for pedestrians and children playing there.

What is being built

A significant part of the paved area will become planting areas for shrubs, flowers and deciduous trees, with vegetation designed to support pollinators. Five planting beds for perennials, shrubs, trees and bulb plants are being built; soil preparation is complete and the first perennials and shrubs have been planted. A total of 95 metres of seating wall made from treated natural stone is being installed along the edges of the beds, with work continuing until early November. Granite paving is being laid in front of Finlandia Hall.

Lawns of various sizes will sit between the planting areas, with benches around the edges. The street will also get litter bins, bicycle racks and a city bike station. At the southern end, an extended footpath and cycle path will be built parallel to Töölönlahdenkatu, and the cycle path alignment and crossing safety will be improved at the Töölönlahti end.

Timeline and earlier steps

Work began in late June. Asphalt, piles and a retaining wall that separated the upper and lower levels of the former car park were removed. Steel piles once used as foundations for the former Little Finlandia building were also taken out. Stone paving began in week 34 and is set to continue until the end of the year.

The project will last until July 2027, and the seating area on the Töölönlahti side will be open from 2027 onwards. Park renovations around Töölönlahti in Hesperianpuisto and Hakasalmenpuisto were also scheduled to begin later in the summer.