‘World’s most beautiful tram route’ opens

FINLAND: What Helsinki regional transport authority HSL claims is ‘the world’s most beautiful tram route’ has opened, crossing three new car-free bridges over inlets of the Baltic Sea to link the centre of the capital with the island suburb of Laajasalo to the east. The Kruunusillat (‘Crown Bridges’) tram line reduces what was an 11 km journey to 5.5 km. ‘The connection across the sea permanently brings the area closer to the city’, said Mayor Daniel Sazonov at the opening on November 7.

The line ‘is incredibly beautiful, a sight in itself’, said HSL Executive Director Vesa Silfver, who described it as ‘a revolutionary development for public transport in Laajasalo’. Destinations served include Korkeasaari, the location of Helsinki Zoo which will offer a discounted ticket for tram travellers.

The tramway extension infrastructure starts at Hakaniemi on Helsinki’s existing network, and runs 6.7 km east to Hopealaakso and Yliskylä, with a 1.2 km branch from Hopealaakso to Kruunuvuorenranta.

The project required the construction of the Merihaan, Finken and Kruunuvuoren bridges, which carry tram, cycle and pedestrian lanes. The bridges can also be used by emergency vehicles, but not other road traffic. The Hakaniemen and Näkin bridges were also rebuilt.

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