Finland’s New Bridge Was Built for Everything Except Cars

There is a particular romance in crossing a bridge. While it can be felt no matter how you cross it, it’s especially true when using modes of transportation that encourage you to slow down and take in the view: walking, cycling, or riding on a slow tram. 

Helsinki in Finland celebrated the opening of the country’s longest and highest bridge, connecting the suburbs of the city to its center, according to Yle. This event was remarkable not only because the bridge is so long and high, but because it is only open to pedestrians and cyclists, with trams beginning service in 2027.

One Hundred Thousand Hours of Design
The Kruunuvuori Bridge, according to New Atlas, is nearly a mile long, and connects the Kruunuvuorenranta area, the island of Korkeasaari, and central Helsinki. At its tallest, it is 443 feet high. 

The project to bring the bridge into existence took 100,000 hours of design work. The reinforced concrete structures in the water exchange area were built to handle the high stress, and stainless steel was used on the outer layer of the rebar on the piers in order to prevent corrosion. 

In addition, the horizontal curve of the bridge was designed to improve the experience for the user. A curved bridge allows pedestrians to get a better view. Likewise, there are specially designed railings along the bridge’s south edge, protecting pedestrians and cyclists from the strong winds. 

Windy but Beautiful
So far, public reaction to the bridge has been positive, Reuters reported. “I think it’s beautiful. Really nice that it’s just for public transport, bikes and walking. So it’s good,” student (and cyclist) Johanna Jarvinen told Reuters. Likewise, Dr. Markus Hotakainen, also a cyclist, mentioned the beautiful scenery as well as the strong wind. 

The beauty of the bridge is that it was built specifically to encourage a way of life that is greener and healthier. At the same time, it gives residents and visitors the chance to slow down and enjoy the view.