Vantaa tramway construction officially kicked off this week with the first works taking place at Tikkurila station. The launch marks the beginning of a long-awaited project that will change the way passengers move between Helsinki and the airport.
The 19-kilometre tram line will run from Mellunmäki in eastern Helsinki to Helsinki Airport in Vantaa. The line will feature 27 stops along the route and is projected to handle traffic of up to 100,000 passengers each day once fully operational.
Work at Tikkurila focuses first on enabling normal train operations to continue. Temporary bridges are now being installed across all platforms so that both long-distance and commuter rail services can remain active during the early phases of construction. Once those bridges are secure, the excavation for the tram tunnel will begin later in autumn.
Pekka Kivelä, Project Director at Destia, the company managing the western section of the line, explained the method. “The tunnel work here will take around three years. We will construct the walls and roof using open excavation, then seal it all underground,” he said.
Platforms 5 and 6 at Tikkurila station will remain closed through mid-July, specifically until the 17th. While a few commuter services might be reduced, most trains will continue to operate as usual. Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) is expected to issue updated timetables if needed.
For the next six months, residents near Tikkurila station should prepare for persistent construction noise. Much of the louder activity will take place during the night, when fewer trains are running. Kivelä confirmed that acoustic walls will be installed to reduce the impact. “We know this is a big project and it will be noticed,” he said.
Due to the soft clay soil in the area, tunnel excavation at Tikkurila must follow an open-cut method. Workers will use plywood and screening barriers to shield the construction zone and ensure safety throughout the process.
When completed, the new tramway will provide direct public transit from the Helsinki metro station at Mellunmäki to Finland’s busiest international hub at Helsinki Airport. The connection will streamline regional travel and offer a reliable daily option for thousands of commuters, airport staff, and tourists.
This line represents one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the Helsinki region this decade, with benefits expected across multiple sectors from transport efficiency to reduced traffic congestion.
