An extensive, two-year renovation project on a long stretch of Helsinki's main thoroughfare, Mannerheimintie, began on Monday.
The project is set to be the largest and most demanding of its kind, according to the city. The street section will be completely transformed both above- and underground and traffic disruptions are expected to be extensive.
Along with repairs, the major renovation will bring improved pavement areas for pedestrians, dedicated single-lane bicycle paths as well as upgraded tram tracks.
A large part of the street section will also see the replacement of old cables, water and sewage lines, some of which were installed at the turn of the 20th century.
The project will also involve the renovation of a bridge that passes over the cross-city bike path known locally as "baana."
"The bridge is at the end of its lifespan and load-bearing capacity. It is no longer possible to renovate it, but the new bridge will be built to look as it did before," project manager Liisa Taskila said.
The thoroughfare will be accessible at all times throughout the renovation but with only one lane in each direction. Congestion will likely be a problem, according to Taskila.
"We hope that this will be a time when people switch to public transport when entering the city centre, wherever possible. It's worth considering alternative routes and whether it's really necessary to take your own car or whether you could hop on a bus or tram," she added.
The City of Helsinki aims for the renovation to be completed by 2025. When complete, the renovations will extend just beyond the intersection of Nordenskiöldinkatu, in the Taka-Töölö district, near the city's Ice Hall.
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