Project information
The road tunnel leading to Vuosaari harbour in Helsinki will be renovated during 2025–2026. The project also includes improving the tunnel's alternative route. The tunnel will be closed for the duration of the work, with the Itäväylä–Kallvikintie–Niinisaarentie–Vuosaari harbour route being the primary detour.
Timetable
The repair of the tunnel will start in spring/summer 2025 and will take about one year. During that time, the tunnel will be closed to traffic. The detour will be improved before the tunnel is closed, with improvement work starting in late 2024.
- Planning 2023–spring 2025
- Improvement of the tunnel’s alternative route September 2024–May 2025
- Testing the functionality of the detour spring 2025
- Tunnel renovation spring/summer 2025–2026
Starting points and content of the project
The traffic control systems and safety equipment in the Vuosaari road tunnel are coming to the end of their life cycle and need to be replaced. At the same time, there is a need to carry out other repairs in the tunnel.
The extensive renovation will include the upgrading of all technical systems in the tunnel. This includes fire alarms, smoke extraction, ventilation and alarm systems, lighting, cameras and traffic management systems. In addition, the tunnel structures will be repaired and the drainage and fire-extinguishing water systems under the tunnel will be replaced.
The project also includes improving the tunnel's alternative route. This route will serve as a primary detour during the tunnel repairs. The detour runs through Itäväylä, Kallvikintie and Niinisaarentie to Vuosaari harbour.
Traffic arrangements
When the tunnel is closed, vehicles will use the detour from Itäväylä via Kallvikintie and Niinisaarentie to Vuosaari harbour. This route is normally used as an alternative route during tunnel maintenance work and is also used by special transport vehicles.
Before the repair work starts, the safety and flow of the detour, will be improved, especially at junctions and pedestrian crossings. The functioning of the route will be tested with real traffic before the start of the repair work.
Project objectives
- To ensure that driving in the tunnel will remain safe for years to come.
- To ensure that port traffic and other traffic in the area will run smoothly and without disruption.
- To implement modern and smarter systems to support traffic management in the tunnel.
- To develop the tunnel’s alternative route to better serve special transport vehicles and other traffic, for example during maintenance closures.
Background information about the Vuosaari road tunnel
The Vuosaari road tunnel runs from the Ring Road III interchange on Itäväylä to Vuosaari harbour. The tunnel is about 1.5 kilometres long with two lanes in each direction. Vehicles travelling in different directions drive in their own tunnel tubes. On average, around 7,650 cars and 2,700 heavy goods vehicles pass through the tunnel every day. The tunnel opened in 2008 and more than half of its traffic is port traffic.
Parties responsible for the project
Fintraffic will be responsible for the tunnel and for carrying out construction work on the detour. The City of Helsinki and the Uusimaa ELY Centre will be responsible for planning improvements to the alternative route.
Contact us
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