The City of Helsinki has completed the general plan for the Viikki-Malmi light rail which will enter Urban Environment Committee to be evaluated.
The first phase of the project covers the construction of a line from Kumpula, crossing Viikki and Malmikenttä to Malmi Hospital.
In the second phase, the northern branch of the line will be extended to the district of Jakomäki. The total length of the line is 15.2 km and according to current estimates, construction can begin in 2028.
EUR 339 million is the estimated cost for the construction of the first section while the second phase of the project would require an investment of EUR 100 million. The Central government funding has already been granted for the design of the Viikki-Malmi light rail.
“Helsinki has significantly promoted rail transport in recent years. Investments in rail transport are not just transport investments, but they open up great opportunities for urban development. A lot of new apartments and business premises would be built along the new light rail line. There has also been broad demand for apartments along with good rail connections during these times of low construction activity,” said Rikhard Manninen, Land Use Director at the City of Helsinki.
The new light rail makes it possible to develop Malminkenttä as a new district relying on rail transport. The light rail also provides an opportunity to develop the Viikki campus into a hub of two light rail lines.
The routes have been planned from Malminkenttä for the light rail both to Malmi Hospital and Jakomäki and further to Vaarala in Vantaa. The light rail would be built all the way to Malmi Hospital in the first phase. The second implementation phase would continue the light rail from Malminkenttä to Jakomäki and Vaarala.
If the general plan for the Viikki-Malmi light rail is approved, the project planning of the first phase of the light rail will start next. It defines the entity to be implemented, its costs and more precise scheduling. After the project decision, the light rail will proceed to implementation planning. The light rail can be built in 2028–2032 at the earliest.
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