{{Short description|Set of bridges in Helsinki}} {{expand Finnish|date=June 2023|topic=struct}} {{Infobox bridge | bridge_name = Crown Bridges<br/>Kruunusillat<br/>Kronbroarna | image = 20250928 Kruunusillat Kronbroarna Crown Bridges - Helsinki Helsingfors, Suomi Finland.jpg | caption = | official_name = | carries = Two lines of the Helsinki tram network, pedestrians, bikes, emergency vehicles | crosses = | locale = Helsinki, Finland | designer = | builder = | design = Cable-stayed bridge | engineering = | mainspan = {{convert|260|m|ft|0}} | length = {{convert|1921|m|ft|0}} | width = | height = {{convert|135|m|ft|0}} | below = {{convert|3.1-20|m|ft|0}} | traffic = | begin = 2021 | complete = 2026 | open = | toll = | coordinates = }}
The '''Crown Bridges''' ({{langx|fi|Kruunusillat}}, {{langx|sv|Kronbroarna, Kronobroarna}}) are three bridges in Helsinki, Finland, creating a new tram link and cycle path to the island of Laajasalo.
==Background== The city council of Helsinki decided on 31 August 2016 to build a tramway to the island of Laajasalo,<ref name="HSKruunu">{{cite web|url=http://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/a1472610018970|title=Helsingin kaupunginvaltuusto päätti: Kruunuvuorenrantaan rakennetaan Suomen pisin siltayhteys|publisher=Helsingin Sanomat|language=Finnish|accessdate=2016-08-31}}</ref> located to the east of Helsinki city centre. The route includes three new bridges, the longest of which is the longest in Finland at {{convert|1.2|km|mi}}, and its pylons one of the tallest structures in Helsinki. The bridges have bicycle and pedestrian lanes in addition to the tramway, but no lanes for private cars. The total length of new double track, including tramways on Laajasalo itself, is about {{convert|10|km|mi}}.<ref name="Kruunuhanke">{{cite web|url=http://www.hel.fi/static/public/hela/Kaupunginhallitus/Suomi/Paatostiedote/2016/Kanslia_2016-08-22_Khs_28_Pt/BF6B4848-9ED5-40C1-9D3B-4E19A93538FA/Liite.pdf|title=Kruunusillat, hankesuunnitelma|publisher=City of Helsinki|language=Finnish|accessdate=2016-08-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911194016/http://www.hel.fi/static/public/hela/Kaupunginhallitus/Suomi/Paatostiedote/2016/Kanslia_2016-08-22_Khs_28_Pt/BF6B4848-9ED5-40C1-9D3B-4E19A93538FA/Liite.pdf|archive-date=2016-09-11|url-status=dead}}</ref>
There are several new areas of housing under construction on the island as of 2016. The site of a former oil shipping terminal at Kruunuvuorenranta is expected to house 12,500 new residents when construction is completed by 2025, and densification of other areas on Laajasalo is expected to add another 10,000.<ref name="Kruunuhanke"/> The tramway connection over a series of bridges was originally chosen as the basis for development by Helsinki city council on 12 November 2008.<ref name="KSVLaajasalo">{{Cite web |date=2008-10-02 |title=Laajasalon raidevaihtoehtojen järjestelmätarkastelu 2008 |url=http://www.hel2.fi/ksv/julkaisut/julk_2008-10.pdf |access-date=2008-10-04 |publisher=Helsingin kaupunkisuunnitteluvirasto |language=Finnish |ref=KSVLaajasalo}}</ref><ref name="misc10">{{Cite web |date=2008-06-17 |title=Päätöstiedote |url=http://www.hel.fi/wps/wcm/connect/63d70f804a173602b61afe3d8d1d4668/JOUKKOLIIKENNELAUTAKUNTA+17.6.2008.doc?MOD=AJPERES |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611100553/http://www.hel.fi/wps/wcm/connect/63d70f804a173602b61afe3d8d1d4668/JOUKKOLIIKENNELAUTAKUNTA+17.6.2008.doc?MOD=AJPERES |archive-date=2011-06-11 |access-date=2008-06-30 |publisher=Joukkoliikennelautakunta |language=Finnish |format=DOC |ref=notemisc10}}</ref><ref name="KV 2008-11-12">{{Cite web |date=12 November 2008 |title=Päätöstiedote nr 20 |url=http://www.hel2.fi/paatoksenteko/kvsto-tiedote/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520092549/http://www.hel2.fi/paatoksenteko/kvsto-tiedote/index.html |archive-date=20 May 2009 |access-date=13 November 2008 |publisher=Helsingin kaupunginvaltuusto |language=Finnish |ref=KV 2008-11-12}}</ref> The discarded alternatives were an extension of the Helsinki Metro in a tunnel or over a bridge.<ref name="FTS45">{{Cite web |title=Helsinki: Current plans on developing the tram network |url=http://www.raitio.org/ratikat/helsinki/linjat/map/suunn.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607001155/http://www.raitio.org/ratikat/helsinki/linjat/map/suunn.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=2008-06-07 |access-date=2008-06-24 |language=Finnish, English |ref=noteFTS45}}</ref><ref name="misc9">{{Cite web |last=Alku |first=Antero |date=2008-06-27 |title=Helsinki: Laajasalon raitiotie |url=http://www.kaupunkiliikenne.net/Helsinki/laajasalo.html |access-date=2008-06-30 |website=www.kaupunkiliikenne.net |language=Finnish |ref=notemisc9}}</ref> The completed tramway plan and its funding were finally approved by the council only in August 2016, almost eight years later.<ref name="HSKruunu"/> thumb|370px|Planned tram lines following the completion of the Crown Bridges project
The island will be linked to the Helsinki city centre by a tram connection built on bridges from Merihaka via Sompasaari and Korkeasaari across the Kruunuvuorenselkä bay and into Kruunuvuorenranta. Instead of three lines in earlier versions,<ref name="KSVLaajasalo" /> the approved plan includes only two lines:<ref name="Kruunuhanke"/>
* Central Railway Station – Hakaniemi – Kruunuvuorenranta – Yliskylä (45-meter bidirectional tram units), and * Kolmikulma – Central Railway Station – Hakaniemi – Kruunuvuorenranta – Haakoninlahti (existing-type rolling stock, 30-meter unidirectional units)
However, in 2021 the approved plan was split into two different stages: the tram connection will not reach the Central Station at first but Hakaniemi market square instead.<ref name="Price increase">{{cite web |url= https://pledgetimes.com/public-transport-helsinki-city-council-approved-the-price-increase-for-crown-bridges/ |title= Public transport Helsinki City Council approved the price increase for Crown Bridges |last= |first= |date= 2021-08-25|website= pledgetimes.com|publisher= |access-date=2021-08-27 }}</ref><ref name="August 2021 update">{{cite web |url= https://kruunusillat.fi/en/releases/the-city-council-decided-on-the-phasing-and-costs-of-the-construction-of-the-crown-bridges-tramway-line/ |title= The city council decided on the phasing and costs of the construction of the Crown Bridges tramway line|last= |first= |date= 2021-08-25|website= kruunusillat.fi|publisher= |language=|access-date=2021-10-31}}</ref> The temporary terminus serves as a hub for many public transport connections, including trams, buses and Hakaniemi metro station. The stated aim is to have the tramway operational between Yliskylä and Hakaniemi in 2027.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.kruunusillat.fi/hanketietoa/ |title= Hanketietoa |last= |first= |date= |website= kruunusillat.fi |publisher= |language=Finnish|access-date=2021-08-27}}</ref> Construction of the second phase of the project will start in 2026<ref name="August 2021 update"/> and is estimated to be completed in 2028.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-12071270 |title= Suomen pisin silta ja miljoonahanke Kruunusillat etenee kustannuskiistoista huolimatta – sen raitiotie valmistuu useammassa osassa |last= |first= |date= 2021-08-25|website= Yle Uutiset |publisher= |language=Finnish|access-date=2021-08-27}}</ref>
In the plan dated in May 2016, the bridge and tramway structures are projected to cost 259 million euros, although in 2021 the maximum price was increased to 326 million euros.<ref name="Price increase"/> Additionally, the required investments in a depot and rolling stock are projected at 20–25 and 75–80 million euros, respectively.<ref name="Kruunuhanke"/> The total length of new double track would be about {{convert|10|km|mi}}.<ref name="Kruunuhanke"/> In 2021 the Helsinki City Transport (HKL) ordered 23 ForCity Smart Artic X54 trams to operate on the Crown Bridges. The very same model, also known as Artic XL, is to operate on Helsinki light rail line 15 as well.
== Construction == thumb|The Kruunuvuori Bridge construction site in summer 2022. It will become the longest bridge in Finland. thumb|Merihaansilta under construction in September 2023. thumb|right|Merihaansilta on 20 June 2025, a couple of days after its opening. The other two bridges had not yet been completed at the time. Construction of the bridges started in October 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.kruunusillat.fi/tiedotteet/rakentaminen-alkaa-nakya-merella/ |title= Rakentaminen alkaa näkyä merellä |last= |first= |date= 2021-10-12|website= kruunusillat.fi|publisher= |language=Finnish|access-date=2021-10-16}}</ref> The first tracks were laid on Laajasalo island on 31 May 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.sttinfo.fi/tiedote/kruunusillat-raitiotien-ensimmaiset-kiskot-laskettiin-maahan-315?publisherId=60577852&releaseId=69943090&lang=fi |title= Kruunusillat-raitiotien ensimmäiset kiskot laskettiin maahan 31.5.|last= |first= |date= 2022-06-01 |website= www.sttinfo.fi |publisher= STT |language=Finnish |access-date=2022-06-02 }}</ref>
=== Technical data === {| class="wikitable" |+ style="background:#ACD" | Crown Bridges (''Kruunusillat'')<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uuttahelsinkia.fi/sites/default/files/inline-attachments/2016-02/kruunusillat_raitiotieyhteys_laajasaloon_ys_sisus_160215_lowres_0.pdf |title=Raitiotieyhteys Laajasaloon / Yleissuunnitelma |publisher=Helsinki city |year=2016 |access-date=2022-10-27 |language=Finnish,Swedish,English }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://kruunusillat.fi/en/releases/kruunuvuori-bridge-the-new-icon-of-helsinki/ |title=Kruunuvuori Bridge, the new icon of Helsinki|publisher=Kruunusillat |year=2021|access-date=2023-03-09|language=Finnish,English }}</ref> ! Name !! Link !! Length !! Clearance below !! Built in |- ! Merihaka Bridge (''Merihaansilta'') | Merihaka–Nihti || {{convert|422|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kruunusillat.fi/rakentaminen/merihaansilta/|title=Merihaansilta|publisher=Kruunusillat |year=|access-date=2023-03-09|language=Finnish}}</ref> || {{convert|3.1|m|ft|0}} || 2022–6 |- ! Finke Bridge (''Finkensilta'') | Nihti–Korkeasaari || {{convert|293|m|ft|abbr=on}} || {{convert|7|m|ft|0}} || 2021–5 |- ! Kruunuvuori Bridge (''Kruunuvuorensilta'') | Korkeasaari–Kruunuvuorenranta || {{convert|1,228|m|ft|abbr=on}} || {{convert|20|m|ft|0}} || 2021–5 |}
== Further plans == In 2008, the city council approved a motion that in the further planning of the Laajasalo area tram, expanding the tram network to the Herttoniemi metro station should be investigated.<ref name="KV 2008-11-12" /> Additionally, in case that the military base in Santahamina will be freed for residential construction in the future, provisions will be made for converting the tram lines into a light rail system that would extend into Santahamina in the south and travel in a tunnel from Korkeasaari to Katajanokka, linking with the planned north–south line of the Helsinki Metro.<ref name="KSVLaajasalo" />
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Public transport in Helsinki}} {{Tram systems in Finland}}
Category:Rail transport in Helsinki Category:Tram transport in Finland Category:2020s architecture in Finland Category:Bridges in Finland