In 2017, the metro was extended from Ruoholahti to Matinkylä with eight new stations, when the first phase of the West Metro was completed. Since then, the works have continued to the west of Matinkylä.
The metro will start running to Kivenlahti in Espoo on December 3 this year.
The new section of the line is seven kilometers long, with five new stations: Finnoo, Kaitaa, Soukka, Espoonlahti and Kivenlahti.
“Even though the metro starts operating, construction continues around the stations. In the existing areas of Kaitaa, Soukka, Espoonlahti and Kivenlahti development will be concentrated around the stations and services will improve. A completely new residential area will be created in Finnoo,” Olli Isotalo, the deputy mayor for urban environment and the chairman of the board of Länsimetro, said in a statement.
There will be no changes to feeder bus services when the new section of the line opens. The metro will run in parallel with the current services for a few months. New bus routes aligned with the new section of the metro line will be introduced in early 2023.
Mayor of Espoo Jukka Mäkelä said in the statement that compact centers are built next to and on top of the metro line “with areas dominated by detached houses around them.” “The growth corridor of the West Metro is also crucial for the competitiveness of Espoo and Finland as a whole, and significantly promotes cooperation between companies, universities and cities,” Mäkelä said.
The Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section of the West Metro was completed in September.
According to Ville Saksi, the CEO of Länsimetro Oy — the company responsible for the maintenance and development of the metro system from Ruoholahti westwards — “the West Metro stations are architecturally attractive, Finnish architectural expertise at its best.” “The unique stations serve as business cards for the areas.”
The map of West Metro, including the five new stations. Illustration: Länsimetro Oy / Click to enlarge
