The West Tram project moves into the implementation phase

West Tram is an urban development project that involves building and upgrading the tram network in western Helsinki, as well as developing high-quality cycling routes, municipal infrastructure, and street environments.

– The transition of an alliance from the development phase to the implementation phase is always a significant milestone for the project and all its parties. For us designers, this means focusing the design work and synchronising the pace of planning with production and construction, says Elina Väistö, SVP of Sitowise Infrastructure business area and member of the Infrastructure Programme Helsinki alliance leadership team.

– Advancing the first phase of the West Tram project from development to implementation has required seamless collaboration between the client, designers and contractors to find acceptable solutions. Thanks go to all these teams! We also thank the client for their trust. We will continue to develop the plans in the best interest of the project, says Marja-Liisa Hynynen, Project Director at Sitowise.

Construction of the West Tram project began

West Tram is the first project to be implemented under the Infrastructure Programme Helsinki alliance. The West Harbour light rail and the Viikki–Malmi light rail projects will be designed and implemented as part of the programme, subject to the necessary implementation decisions.

– It is important to remember that Infrastructure Programme Helsinki is a broad project portfolio, and alongside the implementation phase of the West Tram’s first order package, we designers will continue developing other project components and programme initiatives, Väistö notes.

The tramway and urban development project focused on western Helsinki will see significant construction and upgrades to the tram network and municipal infrastructure, as well as changes to the urban street environment in the coming years. As a result of these developments, a new light rail line 14 from Kannelmäki to the city centre will be launched in the early 2030s. Huopalahdentie and Vihdintie will be transformed into urban boulevards characteristic of the inner city.

– In the planning phase, we have worked closely with the client and contractor to finalise the plans, which are now ready for construction. With the implementation phase, we get to see these plans materialise in the built environment, says Heidi Piiroinen, Project Manager responsible for street design at Sitowise.

Sitowise acts as a designer in the Infrastructure Programme Helsinki alliance. Other service provider partners include Destia Oy, NRC Group Finland Oy, Sweco Finland Oy, WSP Finland Oy and YIT Infra Oy. The client organisations are Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd, the City of Helsinki and HSY.

Read more about the construction phases in the Infrastructure Programme Helsinki news.