Länsimetro Oy, as the owner, is developing the phase one stations along the Ruoholahti-Matinkylä section. On 18 November, we are celebrating the two-year anniversary of the service. Construction is also going on in the first phase of the project, for example, the western entrance to Matinkylä station.
Länsimetro Oy’s task is to build, own, maintain and develop the metro system, tracks and stations from Ruoholahti westwards. The section from Ruoholahti to Matinkylä opened to metro traffic in November 2017. In this section, Länsimetro is responsible for the functioning and safety of infrastructure and the systems and monitors that the required maintenance and repairs are taken care of as planned. HKL is responsible for repairs and maintenance as well as for the metro traffic.
“As a responsible owner, we wish to continuously develop and improve the passenger experience. We make sure that our section is one of the world’s safest and that the stations are attractive and iconic landmarks in their areas,” says Länsimetro Oy’s CEO Ville Saksi.
The metro has enabled the birth of a new urban structure around the stations in both Helsinki and Espoo. After the metro service started up, other construction projects have begun in the vicinity of the stations. For instance, construction has continued at a hectic pace in Tapiola, even after metro traffic started up. The approximately EUR 0.5 billion invested by Lähi-Tapiola in the area around Tapiola station is a good indication of the investments’ size. The phase one metro investment is valued at EUR 1.2 billion. For example, the campus area that has sprung up around the Aalto University station would not have been built without the decision to build the metro, and near the Matinkylä station, a shopping centre was expanded and the city’s Service Centre was built. The Keilaniemi area is developing at a fast pace around the metro and the future Jokeri Light Rail connection. In Helsinki, new urban construction is taking place around the Koivusaari metro station.
The southern entrance to Tapiola station was opened to passengers in the spring of 2019. In Matinkylä, a western entrance will become available to passengers towards the end of 2020. The entrance will be located in the Tynnyripuisto area on the western side of Iso Omena shopping centre.
In addition, Länsimetro Oy is currently building a new entrance for the Urheilupuisto station, based on customer feedback. An entrance originally intended for the rescue services will be opened to passengers during the winter, once the changes required by authorities have been completed.
Sliding doors were built at Matinkylä at the bus terminal level in the spring of 2019 to enhance the shopping centre experience.
The building of the second phase from Matinkylä to Kivenlahti is ongoing and progressing on schedule and within budget. Work is also taking place around the architecture and look of the second phase stations. Each station will feature a work of art that will reinforce the station’s look.
Further information:
Ville Saksi, CEO, Länsimetro Oy, ville.saksi(at)lansimetro.fi
Länsimetron tuleva Finnoon asema, jonka asemalaiturilla taiteilija Leena Nion teos “Haavekuvia.” Teos käy vuoropuhelua vastakkaisen seinän aaltoilevien pinnanmuotojen kanssa.ksityiskohdat ovat merenrannan luonnosta ja sen halutaan kestävän useita katselukertoja. Metromatkustajalle teos luo kimmokkeen vapaaseen assosiaatioon tai haaveiluun