First tracks of the new Pirkkala–Linnainmaa tramway to be laid in the summer
The construction of the Pirkkala–Linnainmaa tramway will pick up pace in the spring and summer of 2025. For this reason, new traffic arrangements will also be made and, for example, roundabouts will be added to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. The aim is to start the first track installations in late summer, and the first phases of the Härmälänoja and Viinikanlahti bridges will be completed in the autumn.
”This year, we are focusing on public utility construction, which has progressed well in the winter. On some sites, we are even ahead of schedule. During the spring and summer, we will start working in new areas and make related traffic arrangements. We are also planning to start the first track installations in this project in the late summer,” says Sari Valjus, Project Manager of the Tampere Tramway Pirkkala–Linnainmaa Alliance.
In the first year of construction, the aim is to install a total of one kilometre of double-tracks on all construction site sections. The first track work for the Pirkkala–Linnainmaa tramway is expected to start in August at the junction of Hatanpään valtatie and Nuolialantie. The first tracks to Pirkkala are planned to be installed in early autumn in the junction area between Nuolialantie and Naistenmatkantie. In the Kaupinlaakso section, the track installations are scheduled to start in the autumn, from the end of the current tracks of the Kauppi campus towards Arvo Ylpön katu.
”The installation of tracks at the junction of Hatanpään valtatie and Tampereen valtatie may also be possible this year. Before that, however, several work phases in the junction and roundabout area must be completed before we can move on from underground structures to the tramway superstructure and street surface work. We will draw up a more detailed schedule for the installation of the tracks in the summer as the work progresses,” Valjus says.
Traffic arrangements will be updated as the work progresses
The aim of temporary traffic arrangements during construction is to keep the routes unchanged for as long as possible. During the summer, temporary roundabouts will be introduced in some junction areas. They are needed to manage traffic during construction work.
”In the early spring, we received feedback requesting new roundabouts to make traffic smoother. We actively monitor the functionality of the traffic arrangements and take action if necessary. For example, with the roundabout between Hatanpään valtatie and Tampereen valtatie, the intention is to introduce a free right lane for those turning from Hatanpää to Viinikka in the coming weeks, as the public utility construction in the junction area progresses,” Valjus says.
A temporary roundabout is estimated to be introduced in July at the junction of Hatanpään valtatie and Nuolialantie. Roundabouts will also be built on the Naistenmatkantie in Partola before Midsummer, when the junctions to the Kaartotie and the shopping centre area are renewed. As a rule, new roundabouts will be built at junctions along Hatanpään valtatie when the traffic lights at the junctions are removed during the work and the road sections are changed to single-lane along the entire length of the tramway construction site.
”We strive for as clear and intuitive traffic arrangements as possible, so that traffic and services at different locations can run smoothly and safely during all work phases,” Sari Valjus emphasises.
Pedestrians and cyclists are always guided past the work sites, and regional main bicycle routes are directed to a detour route during construction. Public transport runs on normal routes in the construction site areas, but bus stops will have to be moved from time to time during the work. There is always a traffic connection to the bus stops and their waiting areas. During the work, access to the buildings, businesses and services affected by the construction will be ensured.
First phases of the Härmänlänoja and Viinikanlahti bridges to be completed in the autumn
The reconstruction of the Härmälänoja bridge, which began in February, at the border between Tampere and Pirkkala is progressing on schedule. Two new bridges are being built over Härmälänoja. The northern Härmälänoja bridge has been under construction during the first quarter of the year. The bridge will have lanes for car, pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The northern bridge will be completed in late summer, after which construction of the southern bridge will begin. The bridge will be completed in its entirety in 2026. The tram will run on the southern bridge with car and pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
The Viinikanlahti bridge will also be built in two parts, with the western bridge being completed in the autumn of this year. Once the first section has been completed, traffic will be transferred to the new bridge and the construction of the other side of the bridge will begin. The entire bridge is expected to be completed in the summer of 2026.
Work and traffic arrangements of the Pirkkala–Linnainmaa Alliance in spring and summer 2025
- This year, the Pirkkala–Linnainmaa alliance will focus on public utility construction work: sewage, wastewater and stormwater networks and telecommunications cable ducts will be relocated and replaced due to the new tramway. In addition, duct segments will be crossed under the streets.
- This year, we will also carry out mass replacements on track beds, streets and pedestrian and bicycle paths and build structural layers. In addition, street surface structures will be constructed and kerb stones will be laid.
- The traffic light systems will be replaced, taking into account the future tramway. For this reason, for example, traffic lights at junctions will have to be removed temporarily and replaced with roundabouts during the work.
- On Hatanpään valtatie, the work areas will be extended to cover the entire length of the tramway, and at the same time, one traffic lane in each direction will be used in the work area. This is also the final solution after the completion of the tramway. The roundabout at the junction between Hatanpään valtatie and Tampereen valtatie will be modified according to the progress of the work and, for example, free right lanes will be added when possible.
- The construction of the new bridge crossing Viinikanlahti and the support wall to be built nearby is continuing on schedule. Piling work is currently being carried out on the bridge’s substructures. The Viinikanlahti bridge will be built in two parts, with the west side of the bridge being completed first this autumn. After that, traffic will be directed to the new bridge and construction will begin on the eastern side of the bridge. The Viinikanlahti bridge will have a tramway and lanes for car, pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and the bridge is estimated to be completed in the summer of 2026.
- The public utility construction in Härmälä will continue throughout the summer. Seven support walls will be built along Nuolialantie, the first of which is located south of the junction of Nuolialantie and Hatanpään valtatie. The construction of the tramway’s electricity supply station will begin on the plot next to the Leirintäkatu junction. A roundabout will be built at the junction of Nuolialantie and Hatanpään valtatie in the summer, probably in July.
- The reconstruction of the Härmälänoja bridge, which began in February, at the western end of Nuolialantie, at the border between Tampere and Pirkkala, is progressing as planned. Two new bridges are being built over Härmälänoja. The northern Härmälänoja bridge has been under construction during the first quarter of the year. The bridge will have lanes for car, pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Next, the construction of the bridge’s casting mould will begin, followed by reinforcement work. The bridge work on the northern side is expected to be completed in August, after which street construction will begin. When the northern bridge is completed in the late summer, construction work on the southern bridge will begin. In the future, the southern bridge will have a tramway and lanes for car, pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The bridge is scheduled to be completed in 2026.
- During the spring, municipal utilities will be installed under Nuolialantie in Partola, near the Naistenmatkantie junction. In the early spring, a new connection will be built from Kaartotie to Naistenmatkantie, and the Lidl store will also be connected to the Isomäentie junction. A temporary roundabout will be built at the junctions before Midsummer. Loading berms have been built on Kenkätie and south of the Rusta building for approximately one year to compact the soil under the future track. During the summer, the aim is also to excavate rock from the eastern side of Kenkätie around the tramway section.
- On the Kaupinlaakso construction site, i.e. the section between Tays and Ruotula, extensive pipeline underboring will be carried out in April from Arvo Ylpön katu under Teiskontie, after which a water supply line will be built on the eastern side of the street. The work will result in traffic arrangements for pedestrians and cyclists in the area. The construction of a tramway electricity supply station will begin on the plot at the corner of Arvo Ylpön katu and Lääkärinkatu. At Lääkärinkatu, between Arvo Ylpön katu and Tenniskatu, earthworks and the construction of a preloading berm will continue to compact the track’s soil. In addition, water supply and cable routes as well as structural layers of the street will be built. The southern roadways will be built on Lääkärintie.
- Starting in May, electrical work will be carried out on the current tramway switch on Itsenäisyydenkatu. The work will impact car traffic, pedestrian traffic and cycling. The traffic arrangements will be announced in more detail in May. On Itsenäisyydenkatu, there will also be switch work at Midsummer.
- The extension of the Tampere Tramway depot in Hervanta is progressing according to plan. The extension of the tram depot prepares the city for the needs of growing tramway traffic. In addition to the extension of the depot buildings, earthworks are carried out extensively in the depot area, including cable routing, foundation work for buildings, excavation work, and asphalting and planting work in the yard.