Sculptural Särkänsilta Opens, Linking Mustanlahti to Särkänniemi

Tamperelainen reports that a sculptural footbridge linking Mustanlahti harbour and Särkänniemi opens to the public on Thursday, two days before Midsummer.

Project manager Raija Tevaniemi, retiring after a 40-year career with the city, said the two-armed bridge feels like a fitting finale to her work. Designed by Arco with A-insinöörit and built by YIT Infra under a design-and-build contract, the structure was constructed from spring 2025 by a core crew of about 10 to 12 workers. It cost €5.4 million.

The bridge is meant for both crossing and lingering. Wide walkways frame new views toward Näsijärvi and Ranta-Tampella. A central viewing aperture and transparent railing give children something to watch. A higher arm leads toward Näsinneula, while a lower, accessible arm reaches a new Särkänniemi entrance.

Shiny steel shells reflect light like waves, and embedded LEDs in the railing create what Tevaniemi describes as lighting that "shines like a starry sky." YIT’s site manager Rauno Häkkänen said the work was demanding because the foundations start in 5–6 metres of water with soft sediment below before reaching solid ground about ten metres down. After the bridge opening, the city will continue work around Mustanlahti harbour, adding berths for about 100 boats and completing pedestrian and cycle routes on Paasikivenkatu this autumn.

Yle reported the bridge would be usable from Thursday and was nearly finished ahead of the opening, with only final metal plates and handrail work left. Yle put the budget at about €5.3 million, plus roughly €300,000 in extra work due to weaker-than-expected rock and an aging retaining wall. Yle also noted legal and administrative twists in the wider Särkänniemi development: an early zoning-plan appeal was dismissed, but the administrative court later overturned a separate €26 million development grant. Harbour and attraction operators expect the bridge to be used by about 25% of visitors; Särkänniemi CEO Mikko Hautasaari said the bridge will improve connections for visitors and complement the area’s attractions.