Helsinki Opens One of the World's Longest Pedestrian Bridges

Fresh from being ranked among the world's most walkable cities in Time Out's latest survey, Helsinki has unveiled a major new piece of infrastructure that reinforces its pedestrian-friendly reputation.

The Finnish capital has officially opened the Kruunuvuorensilta Bridge, one of the longest bridges dedicated to pedestrians and cyclists anywhere in the world. Spanning 1,191 metres, the striking structure crosses the sea between the districts of Korkeasaari and Kruunuvuorenranta.

Rather than prioritising cars, the bridge has been designed with sustainable transport in mind. It will be used by pedestrians, cyclists and public transport services, while private vehicles will be excluded entirely. The project forms part of Helsinki's wider strategy to encourage greener travel options and reduce reliance on road traffic.

Beyond its impressive size, the bridge will significantly improve connectivity across the city. The route between central Helsinki and the rapidly growing Kruunuvuorenranta neighbourhood has effectively been halved, reducing the journey from around 11 kilometres to approximately 5.5 kilometres.

The crossing is a key element of a broader urban development scheme intended to better link Helsinki's many islands and strengthen public transport networks. In the coming years, a tram service will operate across the bridge, providing a direct connection between emerging residential areas and the city centre.

The project arrives as Finland continues to invest in transport infrastructure. Earlier this month, the country also announced plans for a new rail link that will provide a direct connection with neighbouring Sweden for the first time.