Rebuilt Ratapihankatu Bridge to Reopen 17–19 April

The rebuilt Ratapihankatu bridge in Tampere will reopen to traffic during the weekend of 17–19 April, with normal flow resuming no later than Monday 20 April, Väylävirasto said. The work is part of the larger Tampere passenger rail yard project (Tampereen henkilöratapiha).

According to Tamperelainen, through traffic on Ratapihankatu will be closed to motor vehicles between Åkerlundinkatu and Väinölänkatu for the weekend, so that traffic can be switched onto the new bridge. Tamperelainen adds that vehicle access ramps to P‑Hämppi will be closed for the duration of the works, including the Tullinramppi ramps, as well as the P‑Noutoparkki ramps.

Even with the closure, Tamperelainen notes that the Torni hotel remains reachable by car from Åkerlundinkatu. Deliveries to S‑Market Pendolino will also be redirected via Åkerlundinkatu over the weekend.

According to Tamperelainen, the temporary detour through the railway yard used during last year’s construction will be dismantled during the weekend, and traffic will return to its original alignment. "Ratapihankatu will be opened and traffic directed onto the new bridge as soon as final work and cleaning are completed. Traffic will be back to normal by Monday morning at the latest," said Väylävirasto project manager Jetro Matilainen.

The new bridge measures 62 metres in length, 15 metres across and is nearly 1.5 metres thick. Replacement work began in April last year. Two temporary roundabouts installed on Ratapihankatu will remain in place for now. They have noticeably improved traffic flow.

Ratapihankatu is the first of five structures spanning the Itsenäisyydenkatu underpass to be rebuilt as part of the project. The bridges are being lengthened to make room for a new travel terminal beneath and adjacent to the station building. "Construction has proceeded on schedule and we are another step closer to the new travel terminal. Later this spring work will move to the railway yard, when we begin demolition of the old station tunnel cover and the removal of the first rail bridge, followed by significant track work," said project manager Jussi Kiuru of Kreate Oy. Four 1930s-era rail bridges will be replaced over the next four years while rail traffic continues.