The City of Espoo reviews traffic arrangements in Henttaa

Vanha Lillhemtintie and Maakirjantie used to connect the residents of the Lillhemt detached house residential area to the rest of Espoo. When Ring II was built and Suurpelto area’s planning progressed, the traffic connections were redesigned and traffic to Ring II was mostly directed through the Lukusolmu interchange. Maakirjantie was cut off to car traffic in accordance with the local detailed plan approved in 2016 and turned into a pedestrian and cycling path that goes through a park area.

The Lillhemt detached house residential area has about 700 residents and Suurpelto 5,000.

Due to the traffic arrangements, the southward trips of Lillhemt residents grew longer. The residents feel that this new route is more complicated and disruption-prone than the previous one. Construction in Suurpelto is still in progress, which occasionally can disrupt traffic. The international Opinmäki school centre is located along the route, and there can be a great deal of traffic in the area, especially in the mornings.

Vehicle traffic is temporarily allowed on the Vanha Lillhemtintie while the city blocks along Lillhemtintie are being built. As this work progresses further, Maakirjantie can be cut off as planned in the local detailed plan and the construction of the park along it can be completed.

This benefits especially the pedestrians, cyclists and recreational use of the area. The continuous park route goes underneath Lillhemtintie and towards the bridge going over Ring II, allowing a route from Central Park all the way to Nygrannas without crossing paths with vehicle traffic. This route would also allow implementing cross-country skiing tracks.  

The City has received plenty of criticism, especially from the residents of Lillhemt. On the other hand, residents of Suurpelto have sent some messages requests for the City to uphold the legally valid local detailed plan. To move forward with the situation, the City will now review the residents’ views through a survey.

“We want to gain a broader understanding on what the people living in the area are thinking about the situation and how it could be improved,” says Traffic Planning Manager Susanna Kaitanen from the City Planning Department.

The City Board has requested the City Planning Department to review the traffic arrangement options.

“It is difficult to see any one solution that would remove all discontent. Sadly, all solutions that have been proposed will be detrimental to some residents in the area,” Kaitanen says. “Returning to the previous situation would also be problematic, since single-family homes have already been built along Maakirjantie on the basis that there will be no passage through the road.”

The City will call a meeting with the area’s residents after forming a more comprehensive general view of their perspectives through the help of the survey.

“There are many perspectives to the situation. The City must listen to the concerns and troubles of its residents. The disruptions caused by the construction in Suurpelto can likely be alleviated to some extent,” Kaitanen says. “However, we also need to find a long-term solution that we can live with. All parties must be prepared to compromise. It is important that the different parties listen to each other and attempt to understand each other.”

The survey will be carried out in early autumn, and the resident event will be held in October or November. The City Planning Department will then attempt to find the solutions to move forward based on the results received.