West Harbour heavy traffic routes to change
Heavy traffic routes in Helsinki’s West Harbour will change on the last weekend of November (29–30 November). The demolition of West Terminal 1 will allow for a new, clearer route to the harbour area. Heavy traffic will continue to enter via the intersection on Tyynenmerenkatu, but the check-in area will be moved, for example.
The Port of Helsinki will be carrying out significant redevelopment in the West Harbour in the coming years. The practical work started with the demolition of the old West Terminal 1 and continues with the extension of the southern tip of the West Harbour, which started last August.
The current changes are being carried out in preparation for the future quay and field area renovations, which will take place during the normal operation of the harbour. Sufficient lane parameters for heavy traffic in the limited space will be ensured. It is still not possible to create parking spaces for heavy vehicles in the harbour area.
“The harbour will continue to operate as normal throughout the renovations, and the modifications to the check-in will be carried out over the weekend to minimise disruption. Traffic controllers have also been assigned to the site to ensure that traffic remains as smooth as possible,” says Traffic Manager Arto Satuli from the Port of Helsinki.
“The new lorry routes are very clear. When you drive from Tyynenmerenkatu to the harbour area, the whole picture becomes immediately clear. The entryway to the harbour area will remain unchanged, as will the preliminary identification point for vehicles. The check-in booths, however, will be moved closer to the entry gate,” Satuli continues.
The changes to the lorry routes are related to the comprehensive renovation of the West Harbour, the aim of which is to strengthen the operational preconditions of this nationally important harbour, ensure the profitable growth of port operations and provide high-quality services for the busy passenger ferry traffic to Tallinn.
The renovations in the West Harbour are expected to be completed in 2032. At that point, lorries will enter the harbour from Länsiväylä via the harbour tunnel and all passenger ferry traffic to Tallinn will be moved to the West Harbour.