Tramway to the airport in 2028 – Sweco involved in the planning of the western section from Tikkurila to Helsinki airport
The Vantaa tramway is a light rail line planned to connect the most eastern areas of the city to the rail transport network and allow for easy access to Tikkurila, Jumbo, Aviapolis and Helsinki Airport. Sweco and Ramboll are in charge of planning the demanding 9-kilometre section from Tikkurila to the airport.
The general plan for the Vantaa tramway was completed in 2019. The planning agreement was signed on 26 November 2020. The current goal is that the planning of the project will be completed in 2022, after which the Vantaa City Council can decide on the construction of the tramway.
“The Vantaa tramway complements the public transport of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area towards the airport and supports sustainable mobility in central Vantaa. With the tramway, the commuting area of the airport, Aviapolis and Jumbo will be seamlessly connected into the urban structure of Vantaa, which also supports Vantaa’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030,” says Juho Siipo, Sweco’s Director of Infrastructure, Rail and Environment.
The section being planned by Sweco and Ramboll is a 9-kilometre route that connects Helsinki Airport, Aviapolis, Jumbo and the Flamingo commercial and entertainment centre as well as Tikkurila. There are 12 stops along the route. Street and park plans that make it possible to start construction and a preliminary construction plan will be made in the current planning phase.
There are several difficult challenges along the route. The tram stop at the airport will be located right next to the new terminal T2. A deck with two levels for traffic will be built next to the terminal. In the Jumbo area, additional challenges are posed by busy traffic, a power line running through the area and coordinating the route with the current urban structure. The tramway will go along Tikkurilantie, which will also be improved during the project on the section from Aviapolis to Tikkurila.
The tramway supports sustainable urban development
The Vantaa tramway project aims at not only improving the network of sustainable mobility and public transport but also paying attention to the current communal structure and future land use requirements. In addition to high quality, the basic principles of planning are accessibility, environmental friendliness and good routes for pedestrians and cyclists.
“In addition to the technically functional transport solution that suits the needs of various modes of transport, the planning aims at establishing solutions that use resources wisely. For example, re-usable land masses will be used as extensively as possible. Urban biodiversity will be supported by re-using topsoil and treating rainwater organically and through vegetation that improves diversity,” says Mikko Leppänen, Ramboll’s Technical Director.
Sweco and Ramboll have extensive experience of other tramway projects currently in progress, such as the Tampere Tramway, Jokeri Light Rail and Crown Bridges projects.
Vantaa is growing as part of the sustainable Helsinki Metropolitan Area
The Vantaa tramway is a significant investment aimed at improving sustainable and accessible mobility, enabling the growth of the city along public transport routes and promoting regional vitality, new land use and long-term investments. The tramway will establish the city’s most significant growth corridor, and it is expected to attract 37,000 new residents and create 30,000 new jobs. According to estimates, more than 80,000 commuters will use the Vantaa tramway on a daily basis in 2030.
Picture: City of Vantaa