By rosebell
In order to enhancing connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians in the Finnish city’s Baana traffic network, the plans for the Mariantunneli tunnel, which is a major infrastructure project, is advancing by the City of Helsinki.
Running beneath Mechelininkatu and connecting to the Maria Hospital area,this 200m tunnel has reached the general planning phase, whereas its intetion is to connect South Helsinki’s Baana network with Länsibaana, which is eventually due to expand to Kivenlahti in Espoo.
The scheduled deadline for public consultation on the project is 25 November, and political decision-making has been set for January 2025. The estimated budget for tunnel’s construction is almost €19m.
Being designed to provide a safe, continuous route for east-west bicycle traffic, the Mariantunneli tunnel will also allow commuters to bypass the heavily trafficked Mechelininkatu, where around 36,000 vehicles pass on a typical autumn weekday.
Enabl ingsmoother passage for both cyclists and pedestrians, as well as helping to alleviate congestion and boost safety, will be the advantages of this project and additionally, the tunnel’s design is going to accommodate emergency access, allowing ambulances to use the route when necessary.
With the aim of ensuring user safety, the Mariantunneli tunnel will be equipped to advanced lighting systems, including ceiling and booster lights, along with remotely controlled wall lighting that can change colours to mark seasons or events.
Linking to the original Baana route between Kamppi and Ruoholahti, more visual refinements are planned for subsequent stages of the Mariantunneli tunnel.
Providing a designated bicycle street on Lapinlahdentie is a plan of this project, that will decrease vehicle speeds to match the pace of bicycle traffic, prioritising the safety of cyclists.
The redesigned area will include 24 parking spaces and four spaces designated for pick-up and drop-off, replacing the current 70 parking spaces distributed along the street.
As a development project within the city’s 10-year capital program,the Mariantunneli tunnel initially included in a revised plan for the Maria Hospital area that took effect in January 2023.
January 2025 is the determined date for the Urban Environment Committee to review the tunnel’s traffic plan and the final approval of the general plan will require City Council endorsement, after which detailed planning and design work will proceed.
