The Port of Helsinki will be concentrating all of the passenger and car ferry traffic to Tallinn to West Harbour. At the same time, the volume of traffic and passengers will increase in West Harbour. This will be accommodated by building a harbour tunnel for vehicle traffic between Länsiväylä and West Harbour. The tunnel, approximately two kilometres in length, is expected to be completed in the early 2030s.

The harbour tunnel will ensure the accessibility of West Harbour and undisturbed traffic in the area. The tunnel will also improve the predictability and flow of traffic.

The harbour tunnel will move all of the heavy traffic in West Harbour away from the street network, which will alleviate some of the traffic congestion associated with the harbour. The tunnel will also reduce traffic noise in the Jätkäsaari district and improve traffic safety in the area. At the same time, the tunnel will improve air quality throughout Jätkäsaari.

Harbour tunnel to also reduce port-related traffic in city centre

The harbour tunnel will also have an indirect impact on traffic in Helsinki city centre. When ship traffic to Tallinn is moved from Katajanokka Harbour to West Harbour, traffic associated with the harbour will be reduced by roughly 75% in Helsinki city centre. This is because the number of vehicles is considerably higher on ships bound for Tallinn than on ships sailing for Stockholm.

With the new harbour tunnel, the City of Helsinki will be able to develop South Harbour into an area that better serves the city’s residents with its coastal routes and architecture and design museum. This will be possible when port operations are transferred from South Harbour to other port areas.

After completion, the harbour tunnel will benefit the City and residents of Helsinki immensely. The tunnel is a major construction project and its planning is currently under way. The tunnel construction site extends to the edge of Lapinlahti park to the north of the tunnel. This is why the port places particular emphasis on safeguarding the living conditions of plants and animals in the park and preserving the scenic and cultural-historical values of the park in the planning phase. You can read more about the Port’s measures to mitigate environmental impacts here.

Schedule – complete in 2032

The Helsinki City Council’s decision in principle on reorganising port operations in 2021 initiated the planning of the harbour tunnel, which reviewed several route options. A decision on the tunnel route was made in June 2024, and the planning and land use work has been continued based on that decision.

The environmental impact assessment was completed in spring 2024.

The objective is to submit the plan proposal to the Urban Environment Committee for a decision in spring 2025 and have the City Council decide on the detailed plan in late 2025.

The construction of the tunnel’s above-ground entrances requires a building permit, which the Port expects to be granted in 2027. The actual construction of the tunnel would then commence in 2028. The overall duration of construction is approximately five years, meaning that the tunnel would be completed in 2032.

Tunnel financed by port charges

The cost estimate of the tunnel is approximately EUR 300 million and the project will be implemented as an investment by Port of Helsinki Oy. The tunnel will be financed by port charges.