Helsinki tram services on Runeberginkatu to be suspended until 2027

Tram services on Runeberginkatu in the Töölö district of Helsinki will be suspended starting August 31 due to the Western Tramways construction project. Lines 1, 2, and 8 will operate on detour routes, with the disruption expected to last until the end of 2027, and potential surface work continuing into spring 2028.

The construction will significantly alter traffic patterns. Vehicle traffic on Runeberginkatu will be reduced from two lanes to one for the duration of the project. Additionally, the overhead wire system will be dismantled in stages between Töölöntori and Arkadiankatu in early September, requiring brief, periodic traffic stops to ensure safety.

Local business owners in Töölö have expressed significant concern regarding the long-term disruption. Entrepreneurs, including those running a clothing boutique and a café, have voiced frustration over the potential loss of customer foot traffic and the lack of compensatory bus services provided by HSL. There are also concerns regarding the simultaneous reduction of parking spaces in the area.