The Turku City Council has decided that a tramway will be built in Turku. At its meeting on Monday 18 May, the City Council decided that a 12-kilometre tramway will be built from the harbour to Varissuo via the city centre and Kupittaa.
The decision is conditional on securing central government funding in the next MAL negotiations.
The decision was made by 36 votes to 31. The vote took place at 22.57 after a five-hour debate.
“Building the tramway is the right decision, as it is an investment in Turku’s future. It is a tool for building sustainable growth, a good everyday life and a humane city. Turku is growing strongly, and the tram will help steer that growth wisely. Services and jobs are created where people move and live. At the same time, it will enable a range of housing options in different parts of the city,” says Mayor of Turku Piia Elo.
The project includes a full-scale street renewal on all streets along the route. In addition to tracks, new cycle paths, pavements, green solutions, municipal infrastructure, and ground reinforcement will be built along the 12-kilometre route. The tramway will become the backbone of the transport in the rapidly developing Kupittaa–Itäharju area.
“With this decision, Varissuo will be connected to the developing city centre and Kupittaa areas, and Itäharju will begin to flourish as planned. A modern form of public transport will run through the city centre, carrying people towards the growing western districts and the harbour,” Mayor Piia Elo says.
Turku’s population is forecast to grow by tens of thousands by 2050. The development of jobs in Turku is expected to remain strongly positive. A significant share of the growth in both residents and jobs will be concentrated in the tramway zone.
How the Project Proceeds
In accordance with the City Council’s decision, the first phase of the tramway project, in 2026–2028, will involve building a public transport corridor in historic Turku. Over the next two years, the Tuomiokirkkosilta bridge and the adjoining streets between Hämeenkatu and Eerikinkatu will be renovated, and extensive archaeological excavations will be carried out in the area.
The budget for the first construction phase is 33.3 million euros, of which the already confirmed central government funding accounts for 10 million euros. In addition, the budget for archaeological excavations is 15.1 million euros. These costs are part of the tramway’s total estimated cost of 465.2 million euros.
Construction of the tramway will begin once central government funding has been secured in the next round of MAL negotiations. The tramway will be completed in 2032, and services will begin in autumn 2033 after track testing and trial operation. Residents will be able to enjoy the renewed street space as the streets are completed.
“The tramway is a major urban development project. It will develop the urban structure and transport system in a comprehensive and cost-effective way. It will increase the appeal and attractiveness of the entire city,” says Chief of Staff Tuomas Heikkinen.
Also, in accordance with the City Council’s decision, the procurement of tram vehicles will proceed. The decision granted 2.5 million euros for this as part of the procurement’s total estimated cost of 65–75 million euros. The long-term procurement of vehicles will be carried out continuously alongside the infrastructure project so that the vehicles arrive in Turku on time and services can begin according to the planned schedule.
The Tramway Has Been Planned for a Long Time
The tramway has a long planning history in Turku. The City Council made a decision in principle on building the tramway as early as December 2009. After this, three general plans were prepared for the project, the most recent of which was decided on by the City Board in October 2023. The alliance agreement was signed in April 2024.
The tramway is also included in the Turku Mayor’s Programme 2025–2029. In the programme, all parties represented on the Turku City Council have agreed that any tramway investment will be based on comprehensive and precise studies on the costs and impacts during both the construction phase and operation.
“All studies have been completed, and the costs and impacts are known. Now it is time to roll up our sleeves and start building. Trams will run in Turku in 2033,” says Mayor of Turku Piia Elo.
The tramway will be built by the Turku Tramway Alliance in 2026–2033. The alliance consists of the City of Turku and Turun Raitiotie Oy as clients, Ramboll Finland Oy and Sweco Finland Oy as designers, and GRK Suomi Oy and NRC Group Finland Oy as contractors.