Half of the Pirkkala–Linnainmaa alliance’s works completed
Half of the design and construction work for phase 1 of the Pirkkala–Linnainmaa alliance of Tampere Tramway is now complete. Construction of the tramway between the Kaupin kampus and Ruotula stops, and between Sorin aukio and Partola, is progressing slightly ahead of schedule.
At the end of June, the completion rate of the design and construction work for phase 1 of the Tampere Tramway’s Pirkkala–Linnainmaa line exceeded 50 percent. At the same time, 42 percent of the implementation period has passed, meaning the work is partly ahead of schedule. “Our work has progressed nicely, and we have now passed the halfway milestone. The advantage of a large project is that the workinf schedule can be adjusted as needed. If we have to wait at one site, there is usually an alternative location where we can move to keep working, so progress continues all the time. We are glad to continue towards finished tramway line,” says Sari Valjus, project manager of the Pirkkala–Linnainmaa alliance of Tampere Tramway.
Within the alliance, design work is carried out continuously alongside construction, in close cooperation. “Designers update the plans according to the change needs identified at the construction site, and solutions for the construction plans are considered together with the builders. We also negotiate with neighboring properties at the construction site and, for example, with cable and pipeline operators regarding various needs. Technical construction design is in its final stretch, and we are now turning our attention toward the design of phase 2,” says Jukka Heinonen, the alliance’s design manager.
Construction in full speed during the summer
This summer, work is underway at all tramway construction sites across multiple disciplines at once, with street and structural engineering builders, installers of the superstructure and technical systems, and depot building contractors all working simultaneously. The underground municipal engineering work is already in its final stage. Later this year, parts of the construction site will start to look finished in places. Traffic is gradually being moved onto its final lanes. All final traffic arrangements will be in place during 2027.
Of the 7.1 track-kilometers to be built in phase 1 of the Pirkkala–Linnainmaa tramway, more than 2.7 kilometers have currently been installed. Most of the remaining rails will also be installed this year. The Härmälänoja bridge will be completed in August and the Viinikanlahti bridge in autumn. Technical systems for the tramway are being installed, and for example the first traffic lights will be brought into use this year. Overhead line installation work has been carried out at the depot during this spring, and installation of the contact wires for the new track section will begin in Hatanpää in July. Several parts of the tram depot’s expansion and renovation work will be completed this year, with construction proceeding smoothly while the depot continues to operate around the clock.
Construction and testing of the tramway in 2027–2028
Although finished surfaces are starting to appear on the tramway streets, there is still work to be done at the site during 2027 and 2028 as well. “At that point we will build the remaining tracks, continue building pedestrian and cycling paths and streets, among other things, and carry out work on the western side of the Vihilahti bridge. The focus will gradually shift toward installing the overhead lines and other technical systems. In 2028, in addition to finishing work, we will carry out tests and trial runs on the new tramway sections,” says project manager Sari Valjus.
Passenger service between the Kauppi Campus and Ruotula stops, and between Sorin aukio and Partola stops, will begin in August 2028.