The Helsinki City Board approved the City Centre Transport Network Plan in December 2024. Based on the plan, the City has commenced the process of updating the local detailed plans for Kaivokatu, Pohjoisesplanadi and Eteläesplanadi. The aim is to create a sustainable transport system in the city centre that facilitates the development of ideal conditions for walking, hanging out and enjoyment.
Kaivokatu, Pohjoisesplanadi and Eteläesplanadi plan amendments
The Kaivokatu plan area covers the street area, the square south of the railway station and the southern part of the Railway Square.The key change is that Kaivokatu will be turned into a public transport street.
The details of the street and park areas, such as trees, plants, benches and surface materials, will be defined in the draft street plan to be completed in the autumn. The planning is guided by the environment plan for Kaivokatu, which was approved by the Urban Environment Committee in October 2024.
There is also another local detailed plan amendment currently underway in the railway station area: the draft local detailed plan for Elielinaukio and Asema-aukio will be discussed by the Urban Environment Committee in May 2025.
The local detailed plan for Pohjoisesplanadi and Eteläesplanadi, which dates back to 1836, will be modernised while preserving the nature of the culturally and historically notable boulevards. The traffic areas and parks will remain largely unchanged. The new plan will define the protection needs of buildings, street spaces and park elements and take into account valuable rows of trees.
Front of Central Railway Station reserved for pedestrians
Kaivokatu is currently one of Finland's busiest pedestrian areas, visited by approximately 200,000 pedestrians per day. However, according to city residents, the area is the most unpleasant place to move through in the city centre. Turning Kaivokatu into a public transport street will make it possible to add more greenery, benches and terraces to the area.
The plan is to reserve the area in front of the railway station exclusively for pedestrian use by removing parking spaces and moving cycling lanes to the other side of Kaivokatu. This will make it faster for people to change modes of transport and make the area smoother to move through.
Kaivokatu is the heart of Helsinki’s public transport services, as most city residents arrive in the city centre by metro, train, bus or tram. The number of people arriving at the railway station will increase even further when service commences on the new light rail lines currently under construction.
Kaivokatu traffic currently passes through the city centre
At present, approximately 14,000 cars pass through Kaivokatu each day. Most of this traffic is through traffic coming from the direction of Länsiväylä and driving through Kaivokatu to get to Sörnäisten rantatie, or vice versa. The goal of the detailed planning and street planning is that the busy pedestrian area of Kaivokatu will no longer be used for through motor traffic.
According to the plans, both sides of the railway station and the car park on Keskuskatu will remain accessible by car. Kaivokatu will also remain open to rescue vehicles.
Turning Kaivokatu into a public transport street will also enable the reorganisation of bus routes. Buses could be routed to drive in both directions on Vilhonkatu, which would reduce barrier effects and improve the pleasantness of the area. At the same time, the section of Kaivokatu in front of Ateneum and Kaisaniemenkatu would become calmer and easier to cross.
Construction to begin in 2028
The City's aim is to commence construction on Kaivokatu in 2028 with the renewal of the water insulation of the roof of the metro station and Asematunneli. After this first phase, the roadworks will move to Pohjoisesplanadi and Eteläesplanadi. During the water supply and street renovation of Pohjoisesplanadi and Eteläesplanadi, Kaivokatu will remain open to through motor traffic, with one lane in each direction. According to the current estimate, the entire Kaivokatu area will be completed in the mid-2030s.
Opinions and information event
Opinions on the goals of the plans for Kaivokatu, Pohjoisesplanadi and Eteläesplanadi and the Kaivokatu environment plan can be submitted via a Kerrokantasi survey(Link leads to external service) that will remain open until 20 May.
Information about the progress of the planning will be provided at an information event (Link leads to external service) to be held at Helsinki City Hall’s Event Square on 7 May at 16:00–18:00. The event can also be viewed live or watched after the fact as a recording on Helsinki Channel(Link leads to external service) .
- Information on Kaivokatu in the map service (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
- Information on Pohjoisesplanadi and Eteläesplanadi in the map service (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
- Kerrokantasi survey (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
- Information event at Helsinki City Hall on 7 May (in Finnish)(Link leads to external service)
