Preparing for future tram traffic — traffic arrangements at Itsenäisyydenkatu in June
On Itsenäisyydenkatu, between Salhojankatu and Yliopistonkatu, Tampere’s Tramway will be carrying out track changes from the end of May to the beginning of September as part of the tram route expansion towards Pirkkala and Linnainmaa. The tram switch located in the area will be electrified to ensure smoother traffic towards Linnainmaa. The work will affect traffic in the area and bus routes in June. There will be a break in tram night services during Midsummer.
A switch change will convert the current mechanical switch to an electrically controlled one. The preparatory work will start at the end of May, and the actual change will be carried out during Midsummer. Finalizing work will continue until early September, but it will not affect traffic on Itsenäisyydenkatu.
”The electric switch control improves the reliability of the switch operations and smooths traffic, especially during disruptions and exceptional situations. Additionally, it allows trams to run from Hervanta towards Linnainmaa, for example in various tram transfers, which will increase as the tramway network expands,” explains Antti Uotila, head of tracks at Tampere Tramway Ltd.
Switch works affecting movement in the area during May and June
”We will start preparatory switch work at the end of May on the north side of Itsenäisyydenkatu, between Salhojankatu and Tammelan puistokatu. During the work, pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be directed past the working area with a combined path. At the beginning of June, we’ll move the work area to the pedestrian path and roadway on the south side of Itsenäisyydenkatu. Access to ground floor businesses will be maintained at all times,” says Sari Valjus, project manager for the Tampere Tramway Pirkkala—Linnainmaa alliance.
The southern roadway of Itsenäisyydenkatu towards Kaleva will be closed on June 2 between Salhojankatu and Yliopistonkatu. Car traffic will be redirected via a detour through Lähteenkatu, leading to the removal of parking spaces from Lähteenkatu. A replacement bus stop for Sorsapuisto 0510 will be set up on Lähteenkatu. There will also be changes for bicycle traffic on Lähteenkatu, as cycling in the opposite direction on the roadway towards the west (city center) will be prohibited during the work. Preparatory work will continue until Midsummer.
Changes in tram traffic during Midsummer
The actual switch change will be carried out during Midsummer when the work will focus on the middle of the street, where the current tram tracks are located. The work area will be expanded on Midsummer Eve, June 20, at 21:00, closing the north roadway towards the city center between Kaleva puistotie and Tammelan puistokatu, and directing vehicle traffic via a detour through Tammela. Itsenäisyydenkatu will be reopened for traffic at approximately 07:00 on June 22.
Due to the work, the bus stop Sorsapuisto 0511 will be closed on the evening of Friday, June 20, at 21:00, and buses will be rerouted.
Tram traffic to the city center will be halted during Midsummer from Friday to Saturday, June 20-21, approximately from 22:00 to 06:00, and from Saturday to Sunday, June 21-22, approximately from 22:00 to 06:00. Late night and early morning services will operate on an alternate route from Hervanta to Hakametsä.
Further information about changes in public transport will be provided by Nysse.