The service interruption will affect both commuter trains in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and long-distance trains between Helsinki and Turku. Like last year, a long, continuous interruption allows us to work more economically and also makes it easier to ensure safety.
“The long summer interruption is extremely important to us, as it allows us to carry out a number of significant and multi-stage work tasks that require the interruption of train traffic. In terms of workload, this summer’s interruption is the most extensive of the project’s summer interruptions. Due to the construction work, the tracks are now being dismantled and returned over approximately 11 kilometres; last year, the distance was approximately seven kilometres. We have carefully planned and phased the work to ensure the smoothest and safest implementation possible,” says Project Manager Tommi Rosenvall from the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.
Key work stages during the summer interruption
Several work stages critical to the project will be carried out during the summer interruption, which will significantly advance the Espoo Rail Line. One of the greatest efforts of the summer is the relocation of five new bridges to the track area.
“The bridges have already been built next to the tracks, and they will be moved onto the tracks during the service interruption,” Rosenvall explains.
For example, the Tunnelitie road running under the tracks in Kauniainen will be closed to traffic for the five-week service interruption, and a construction-time detour for pedestrian, cycling and bus traffic will be arranged via a temporary level crossing. The auxiliary bridges installed in place of the old bridge that was demolished last summer will be lifted off Tunnelitie and a new bridge constructed on the southern side of the track will be moved into place. Construction of the final platforms will also begin.
The excavation of the new railway tunnel, located to the west of the Espoo Centre, has been busy throughout the spring, and Kaupunkikallio will be cut through during the summer.
“Rock cutting will be carried out in the summer right next to the tracks to the west of the tunnel,” says Rosenvall.
Many track structures will be replaced and the drainage of the track improved during the long interruption. These works are important for the durability and functionality of the track and will reduce interruptions in the future. Construction at the Kilo Station has also progressed rapidly, and the key structures of the station will be completed during the summer interruption. This is an important step towards the opening of the station.
After completion, the city rail line will improve the punctuality of commuter train traffic between Kirkkonummi and Espoo and long-distance train traffic in the Turku direction. Two additional tracks will significantly reduce sensitivity to disruptions on the Leppävaara and Kauklahti track sections.
Bus connections will replace train traffic
The five-week interruption in train service will begin on Monday 23 June at 2:00 am and end on Monday 28 July at 4:00 am. There will be no train traffic between the Helsinki Central Railway Station and Karjaa during the interruption. The timetables and routes of the buses that will replace commuter train traffic are available on HSL’s Journey Planner.
Further information about exceptional arrangements during the service interruptions is available on the VR and HSL websites.
Interruptions in rail service on the coastal line, western side of Leppävaara in 2025
Summer, 5 weeks
- Mon 23 June 2:00 am – Mon 28 July 4:00 am
Autumn, 3 x 48 hours & 2 x 24 hours
- Sun 31 August – Mon 1 September
- Sat 6 September – Mon 8 September
- Sat 13 September – Mon 15 September
- Sun 21 September – Mon 22 September
- Sat 27 September – Mon 29 September