The four-year-long Keski-Pasila development project will reach an important milestone when the new traffic connections in Helsinki’s Pasila district, the Teollisuuskatu tunnel and a section of Veturitie, are opened to vehicle traffic on Tuesday afternoon.
The tunnel designed for vehicle traffic with a length of 330 meters will join Eastern and Western Pasila.
When approached on Nordenskiöldinkatu from the south, Veturitie opens to the north along the new route that runs under Tripla. The newest section of Veturitie to the north of Tripla runs along the western edge of the railroad until it reaches Iso Paja on Pasilankatu.
Most of the traffic near Iso Paja at the intersection of Veturitie and Pasilankatu will be directed to Veturitie. The intersection will be equipped with traffic lights. There will be changes to priority: those coming from Pasilankatu will have to yield.
The pedestrian and cycle routes will remain in their current locations in early October, and the new routes will be opened on October 17, which is also when Tripla will be opened.
The pedestrian and cycle routes are scheduled to open later than the vehicle routes to ensure safety and to allow for the finalizing touches on Tripla. The area around Tripla will need to accommodate deliveries and construction site use in late October until the shopping center, new station and public transport terminal are opened on October 17.
“More than three thousand people work in the area. They are finishing and decorating the premises and moving stock into the shopping center around the clock,” says Project Director Päivi Ahlroos from the City Executive Office, in a statement.
Traffic management systems such as barriers and systems related to traveling below Tripla will be tested in early October.
The entrances to the Tripla parking facility will be located on Firdonkatu and Pasilan Tornikuja and opened on October 17.
The Pasila public transport terminal— the bus and tram stops located on Pasilansilta bridge in front of Pasila station—will be commissioned in the early morning hours of Thursday, October 17. The finishing work in front of the station will not yet be complete, which means that people will have to walk via alternative routes at first.
Illustrations: The City of Helsinki
Veturitie opens to the north along the new route that runs under Tripla.
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