Helsinki's Mäkelänkatu street faces major disruptions as a comprehensive two-year reconstruction project launches this week. The work begins overnight with tree removal operations and continues with traffic management measures that will affect morning commuters.
Crews started removing linden trees along Lehmuskuja lane during nighttime hours. Project manager Antti-Juhani Lehtinen from the city's urban environment department said work commenced after midnight once the final tram services passed through the area. The tree removal phase will continue throughout the week primarily during nighttime operations.
Traffic control measures begin Tuesday morning with light barricades directing vehicle flow. Officials anticipate congestion, particularly on lanes leading toward the city center. Some lanes may require partial closures as work progresses.
The reconstruction project spans the southern sections of Mäkelänkatu in Helsinki's Vallila district. The northern boundary reaches approximately the Mäkelänrinne swimming center and Urhea hall area, while the southern end connects to Hämeentie. Project leaders could not specify the exact starting point when questioned on Monday.
Safety remains a critical concern during the tree removal phase. The 700-volt power lines supplying Helsinki's tram network present serious hazards. Crews must cut electricity to the overhead wires during work hours. "When the power is on, nobody should approach the area," Lehtinen emphasized in a statement.
The extensive renovation will upgrade municipal technical systems, street structures, and deteriorating street trees while improving traffic arrangements. Of the approximately 250 linden trees lining Mäkelänkatu, about 100 will be removed and replaced with new plantings.
Public transportation schedules have already undergone adjustments. Changes affect bus lines 61(N), 64, 65, 66(K), 67(N), 600, 611, 614(K), 617, 623, 633, and 643(K). Night buses 633N, 643N, and 665N also face minor minute adjustments to their timetables.
This reconstruction represents Helsinki's ongoing effort to modernize aging urban infrastructure while balancing environmental considerations with practical transportation needs. The two-year timeline reflects the complexity of upgrading underground utilities, road surfaces, and green infrastructure simultaneously.
Commuters should prepare for extended disruptions along this key Helsinki artery. The project's duration means residents and businesses in Vallila will need to adapt to changing traffic patterns through multiple construction phases. Similar infrastructure renewal projects have recently affected other major Helsinki streets as the city addresses maintenance backlog while minimizing impact on daily life.
The tree replacement plan demonstrates Helsinki's commitment to maintaining its urban forest despite necessary infrastructure work. The city typically plants multiple trees for each one removed during construction projects, though the immediate visual impact remains substantial during the transition period.