On the work front, I will remember 2024 as the year that the development work in West Harbour took a significant stride forward after years of planning. Important milestones included the selection of the route of the harbour tunnel between Länsiväylä and West Harbour and the start of land use planning for the tunnel. Next year, we will finally start seeing the results of the work in Jätkäsaari.

Together with the City of Helsinki, we are planning a major overhaul of West Harbour in Jätkäsaari. The overhaul is carried out to accommodate the continued growth of Tallinn traffic and to ensure a pleasant travel experience for passengers and smooth access to and from the port for cargo.

Last spring, we completed the environmental impact assessment of the harbour tunnel, when the Uusimaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment found all the route options examined in the assessment to be feasible. After this, we were able to decide on the route of the harbour tunnel in collaboration with the City of Helsinki. In June, we decided that the tunnel planning will continue on the basis of the so-called A route. The choice was supported by feasibility, scheduling and costs.

We also received valuable information from the environmental impact assessment on the effect of the tunnel on the urban environment and nature. After completion, the tunnel will impact an area of approximately 700 square metres in Lapinlahti Park, i.e. about one per cent of the park’s zoned surface area. Two endangered species live in the park, and we have found solutions to secure their habitats. The tunnel will be built with a thin rock roof, which will minimise the open section and save the habitat of the Siberian flying squirrel living in the area. The living conditions of a small species of butterfly, the depressaria chaerophylli, will be safeguarded in particular by planting its food plant in new areas in the park.

We were also able to start the land use planning for the harbour tunnel towards the end of the year. Our shared objective with the City is to submit a plan proposal to the Urban Environment Committee for consideration at the beginning of 2025, from where the proposal can proceed to the City Council for decision before the turn of the year 2025/2026.

The planning of the new terminal in West Harbour also took some steps forward in 2024, as the detailed plan for the area was completed. In late autumn, we received permission to demolish the old T1 terminal. The terminal will be demolished so that we can later build the southern entrance to the tunnel and a new and even more functional terminal on top of it. The demolition of the actual terminal building will begin in March and be completed in autumn 2025. The demolition work will be the first tangible sign of the reform to the residents of Jätkäsaari.

This year also saw progress in the planning work on the quay and field areas in West Harbour. Our objective is to be able to start construction in the field areas in 2025. Construction requires the issuing of a water permit, after which we will begin expanding the southern tip of the West Harbour through sea filling. This will give the harbour more field area, which is needed to ensure that the harbour can continue operating without disruptions throughout the forthcoming renewal. 

This year has been positive in terms of planning, and we are now at a good place to continue our work. Thank you to everyone involved in the planning of the reforms of West Harbour and in the preparation of future projects! 

It is important for us to promote construction work in close interaction with the residents of Jätkäsaari and other stakeholders, and we will continue our active communications on the progress of the work. 

Pekka Hellström 
VP of Technical Services, Port of Helsinki