Kruunuvuorensilta, Finland’s longest, tallest bridge, set to open with no cars allowed

Jarno Haanpää, city of Helsinki

A soon-to-open bridge that will be the tallest and longest in Finland will also be car free.

Kruunuvuorensilta, set to open to pedestrians and cyclists in mid-April, will be just over 4,000 feet in length and over 440 feet in height. Featuring a diamond-form pylon, it will connect Helsinki’s city center with the island suburb Laajasalo.

The span also will carry a new light-rail line scheduled to begin operations next year.

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Kruunuvuorensilta is the centerpiece of the Kruunusillat – translating to “Crown Bridges” – a series of spans designed and built in Finland as part of a large-scale infrastructure and light-rail initiative. Its sister bridges are open to cyclists and pedestrians and will also begin carrying light rail next year.

Aarni Salomaa, city of Helsinki

The diamond pylon, which supports two 820-foot cable-stayed spans on either side, is an architectural reference to the Swedish monarchy’s long ownership of the area before Finland’s independence.

Helsinki has committed to carbon neutrality by 2030, a goal that includes making private cars obsolete or unnecessary. Designed by Knight Architects and WSP Finland, Kruunuvuorensilta – and the broader Kruunusillat project – represents a giant step toward that vision.

“The distinctive diamond now provides Helsinki with an instantly recognizable addition to its skyline that we hope soon comes to symbolize not only the identity of this wonderful city, but its continued efforts to shift to sustainable transport modes,” said Tom Osborne, a director at Knight Architects, in a news release.

Built using advanced concrete technology and stainless steel reinforcement, Kruunuvuorensilta is designed for a 200-year lifespan, meaning residents and visitors (and their descendants) will have plenty of opportunity to experience the new landmark.

Tehanu Tähdenlumo, city of Helsinki