Pirkkala–Linnainmaa tram first phase two-thirds complete, Partola and Ruotula services set for August 2028

ePressi reports that the tram operating agreement was extended to cover new services to Partola and Ruotula, with service expected from August 2028 previous reporting on the August 2028 service start.

Project manager Sari Valjus said 51 percent of the scheduled implementation period has passed, putting work between Kauppi campus and Ruotula and between Sori Square and Partola ahead of schedule. The 66 percent completion milestone, originally targeted for the end of the year, was reached in October. Progress varies by site, but overall the project has gained time.

The most visible improvement this autumn came at the intersection of Hatanpään valtatie and Tampereen valtatie. A temporary roundabout was removed in September and traffic lights were installed about a year earlier than planned. Juha Inkiläinen, the alliance’s traffic planner, said counts show traffic volumes on Tampereen valtatie have returned close to pre-construction levels and that Nysse bus run data indicate shorter travel times through the junction.

It follows earlier work to replace temporary roundabouts with signals at the junctions in the area earlier signal changes at Hatanpää and Partola.

Before the year ends Jokikatu will be reopened to two-way traffic, and traffic lights will be placed at its junction with Hatanpään valtatie to improve flows. Remaining tasks in the area include track operations, paving and final finishing.

During 2027 the project team will complete street and track construction, then move on to electrification and technical systems such as signalling, lighting and communications. Markus Keisala, project director at Tampereen Raitiotie Oy, said test runs are planned for spring 2028, followed by driver training, with regular passenger service to Partola and Ruotula slated for August 2028.