Tampere Tramway Pirkkala-Linnainmaa Alliance starts first phase construction work
Tampere Tramway’s Pirkkala-Linnainmaa Alliance starts the tramway construction work on 11 December. Construction will begin with the preparation of traffic arrangements, which will be phased in over the rest of the year and early next year. In addition, demarcation and fencing of future work areas will start in all construction subsections, namely Hatanpään valtatie, Härmälä, Partola and Kaupinlaakso. The construction is also preceded by relocating or removing trees lining the streets within construction areas.
– The traffic arrangements are designed so that the access routes remain the same for as long as possible during construction. At all stages of the work, we ensure that routes are safe and that there is good access to properties and places of business. The existing bus routes will continue to operate in all areas, and access to the stops and waiting areas will be arranged near the construction sites, says Sari Valjus, Project Manager of Tampere Tramway Pirkkala-Linnainmaa Alliance.
Among other things, lane arrangements will be carried out around the construction sites during the rest of the year and the beginning of next year. There will always be at least one lane in each direction for vehicular traffic, with the necessary turn lanes or temporary roundabouts in the junction areas. Pedestrian and cycle paths will be rerouted, but connections in the vicinity of the tramway line will be maintained. Replacement connections will also be available during construction. There will be pedestrian crossings at regular intervals, indicated with flashing lights when there are no traffic lights in use.
Trees lining streets at the construction areas will be relocated or removed. The guiding principle is to save as many trees as possible and remove only what is necessary. Almost as many trees will be replanted along Hatanpään valtatie and in Härmälä and Partola as will be relocated or removed. In Kaupinlaakso, Tampere City Council will have trees removed from the tramway construction site and the planned residential area.
– The actual construction work will begin with the transfer of the utility cables and pipelines. They will be moved away from the route of the future tramway and, at the same time, the municipal infrastructure will be upgraded. The overhaul of the bridges at Viinikanlahti and Härmälänoja will also start early next year, says Valjus.
Pirkkala to become Finland’s first tramway municipality
The first phase of the Pirkkala-Linnainmaa tram line, reaching Partola and the Niihama stop, will be built in 2024–2028.
– We are very pleased to be able to start the implementation phase of the project. We have several years ahead of us, which we have carefully planned in cooperation with various stakeholders. Construction will be carried out safely and efficiently, with minimal impact on the daily lives of residents, says Pekka Sirviö, CEO of Tampere Tramway Ltd.
With the Pirkkala-Linnainmaa tramway section, Tampere Tramway will become a regional operator, with Pirkkala becoming the first tramway municipality in Finland.
– For Pirkkala, the construction of a tramway is a significant decision that will determine the development of the municipality for decades to come. This is a development project that will shape the streetscape of Pirkkala in the coming years. The construction work is now starting in Partola, and the aim is to continue construction all the way to Suuppa in the centre of Pirkkala in the second phase of the project. We believe that the tramway will make Pirkkala even more vibrant, says Pirkkala Community Director Jouni Korhonen.
The aim is for the first phase of the service to Partola and Niihama to start in August 2028.
– It is exciting that in the future we will be able to offer the superb Ratikka travel experience not only to the people of Tampere, but also to the people of Pirkkala, says Pekka Sirviö.
The tramway is very popular in Tampere. The residents have embraced Ratikka, as evidenced by the steady growth in ridership and high customer satisfaction. According to a Tampere Tramway consumer survey, the use of the tramway has resulted in an increase in the use of public transport as a whole.
– The City of Tampere has had very positive experiences with the tramway. It is great that the Pirkkala-Linnainmaa project will bring more tramway tracks to Tampere. At the same time, we are overhauling municipal infrastructure and existing bridges, as well as improving pedestrian and cycling routes, says Milko Tietäväinen, Construction Manager for the City of Tampere.
Phase 2 of the Pirkkala-Linnainmaa tramway is scheduled for 2028–2032, with the aim of completing the sections from Partola to Suuppa and Niihama to Linnainmaa. The implementation of the second phase is subject to the confirmation of state funding. The extension of the depot and the electrification of the Itsenäisyydenkatu street switches will be carried out during phase 1. The conversion of Hermiankatu street tramway into a dual-track line is planned for phase 2. These alterations are intended to prepare for the expansion of tram traffic. The total cost estimate for the tramway construction investment for phases 1 and 2 is EUR 357.5 million.
The construction of the tramway will cause temporary inconvenience to residents and businesses in the surrounding area, with their accessibility and amenity affected. The aim is to mitigate the impacts by working closely with stakeholders.
The first traffic arrangements and work phases of the Tampere Tramway Pirkkala-Linnainmaa Alliance from 11 December:
Hatanpää
The first work phases on Hatanpään valtatie include traffic arrangements and the demarcation of work areas. The cable and pipe relocations and municipal engineering work will start during December and January. Trees along Hatanpään valtatie will also be removed and relocated early next year.
- There will be lane arrangements at the junction of Hatanpään valtatie and Tampereen valtatie, and a roundabout will be built at the junction in the spring. In December, the junction area will be prepared for the upcoming traffic arrangements, including paving work and the removal of traffic dividers. Some preparatory work may be carried out at night.
- There will be lane arrangements on Hatanpään valtatie, and part of the street will have one lane in each direction. Pedestrians and cyclists will be directed past the work areas via detours.
- The earthworks and roadworks on Hatanpään valtatie are planned to start at four different locations: north of the junction of Tampereen valtatie and Hatanpään valtatie; at Jokikatu; north of the junction of Hatanpäänkatu and Hatanpään valtatie, i.e. at the southern end of the wastewater treatment plant; and in the Lahdenperänkatu junction area. In the first phase, the construction sites will be located on the west side of the highway.
- The aim is to keep the traffic lights and lane arrangements in the junction areas of Hatanpään valtatie in use for as long as possible.
During the work, access to the area’s properties, businesses and services will be ensured.
Härmälä
December:
The first work phases at Nuolialantie road in December include the preparation of traffic arrangements and the establishment and demarcation of work areas. During December, paving work will also be carried out in connection with future traffic arrangements and lighting will be installed for the work areas.
Motor vehicle traffic on Nuolialantie road will mainly run on the current routes. Traffic lights will be removed at some intersections, with lanes being moved or roundabouts used during the work. There will be pedestrian crossings at regular intervals, indicated with flashing lights when there are no traffic lights in use.
- At the junction of Nuolialantie and Hatanpään valtatie, one lane for right turns will be removed for traffic entering Hatanpään valtatie.
- The southern Talvitie junction will be closed on 11 December for both bicycles and motor vehicle traffic. At the junction, traffic dividers will be dismantled, traffic lights will be removed and tarmac will be laid for the traffic arrangements. At the junction of Talvitie and Nuolialantie, municipal engineering work, including cable rerouting, will start right at the beginning of January. During the work, access to Talvitie is via other junctions and Härmälänkatu. The aim is to open the pedestrian and bicycle path from Talvitie to Nuolialantie as soon as possible.
- Preparations for traffic arrangements will begin at the Valmetinkatu junction on 11 December. The traffic lights at the junction will be removed and a roundabout will be built, which will be taken into use during week 51. Traffic arrangements are partly carried out at night.
- Trees along Nuolialantie will be relocated and removed starting from 11 December. Trees will be relocated to Niemenranta, among other places.
- The Nuolialantie pedestrian and bicycle lane will be run alternately on the southern and northern sides of the street. The southern lane will be renovated in December before the transfer of traffic. Signage will be put in place for pedestrian and bicycle routes around the work areas.
January:
The earthworks and roadworks proper are planned to start in January. Rerouting of cables, replacement of soils and installation of foundations are among the first tasks to be carried out. In addition, municipal infrastructure will be overhauled. The rest of the traffic arrangements prepared in December will come into use in January. More information on these will be provided at the beginning of January. During the work, access to the area’s properties, businesses and services will be ensured.
Partola
December:
The traffic arrangements to be introduced early next year are being prepared in the Partola area in December. The related paving work will be carried out at the end of week 51 (19–20 December). When the work begins, the pedestrian and bicycle path on the northern side of Nuolialantie will be closed between Lentokonetehtaankatu and Pereentie and rerouted along the southern side of Nuolialantie.
No other traffic arrangements will be carried out in the Partola area before Christmas. A base for the project will be established near the Pereentie junction during the rest of the year. Before that, trees lining the streets in the area will be relocated starting from 11 December. The trees will be relocated to the Pere and Nuolialantie areas.
January:
- The Pereentie junction area will be moved slightly west in January. The Härmälänoja bridge will be overhauled, which is why the current pedestrian and bicycle bridge will be removed and the access will be moved to the south of Nuolialantie.
- The construction of a new wastewater line on Kaartotie will result in changes to motor traffic, which will be directed to a detour route via Pakkalantie. The area’s combined pedestrian and bicycle lane will remain in use. Some of the parking spaces along Kaartotie will be unavailable from Epiphany, as the earthworks for the wastewater line begin in the area. The work involves sheet pile driving, causing occasional noise in the area. This work phase is estimated to last until the end of February.
- A roundabout will be built at the Naistenmatkantie and Nuolialantie junction early next year, and the construction of municipal infrastructure, such as the water supply, sewage, district heating ang gas pipelines under Nuolialantie will begin during the spring.
In the Partola area, access to services in Partola-Keskus and to local businesses will be ensured during the work.
From Kauppi campus to Niihama
Preparatory work on the tramway will begin in the area between the Kauppi campus and the future tram stop in Niihama during December. Bases will be established for the construction site in the Tenniskatu and Teiskontie junction area as well as on Lääkärinkatu.
December:
- Preparations will take place for traffic arrangements at the junction of Arvo Ylpön katu and Teiskontie, but no changes to motor traffic will occur before Christmas.
- The pedestrian and bicycle lane on the east side of Arvo Ylpön katu will be closed in December, and the access routes will be transferred to the west side of the street and, from the beginning of the year, also to the plot of the electricity supply station for the future tramway at the corner of Arvo Ylpön katu and Lääkärinkatu. The plot of the electricity supply station will be fenced off as a construction site before Christmas, so parking in the area will not be possible in the future.
January:
- In January, paving and lane arrangements will be carried out in the Arvo Ylpön katu and Teiskontie areas. Cable and pipe relocations will begin on the east side of Arvo Ylpön katu. In January, the City of Tampere will also begin removing trees from the tramway construction site between Arvo Ylpön katu and Toimelankatu and from the future residential area.
- The replacement of the structural layers of the street and of the wastewater lines leading to Lääkärintie will begin at the junction of Niveltie and Lääkärintie in January. A detour bypassing the construction site will be provided for pedestrians and cyclists, and there will be minor changes to the roundabout at the junction of Lääkärintie and Arvo Ylpön katu.
The connecting bus traffic to and from the tram stop of the Kauppi campus will be operational at all stages of construction. During the work, access to the area’s properties, businesses and services will be ensured.
Further information:
Tampere Tramway Pirkkala-Linnainmaa Alliance website https://pirkkalalinnainmaa.fi/in-english/
Pekka Sirviö
CEO
Tampere Tramway Ltd
tel. +358 40 3345 798
firstname.lastname@tampereenraitiotie.fi
Jouni Korhonen
Community Director
Municipality of Pirkkala
tel. +358 50 512 3981
firstname.lastname@pirkkala.fi
Milko Tietäväinen
Construction Manager
City of Tampere
tel. +358 40 506 8600
firstname.lastname@tampere.fi
Sari Valjus
Project Manager
Tampere Tramway Pirkkala-Linnainmaa Alliance
tel. +358 40 866 1682
firstname.lastname@nrcgroup.fi