The Merituulentie pedestrian and bicycle way is now open to traffic
The Espoo region bike route between Tapiola and Espoonlahti runs south of Merituulentie, the east–west main street of Southern Espoo. The Eastern end of the route will be connected to the bike route of Itätuulenkuja in Tapiola that will be completed later. The extensive repair works of the Merituulentie pedestrian and bicycle way are now completed and the route is open to traffic.
The construction involved building the Merituulentie pedestrian and bicycle way and reforming the Tykkitie underpass in Tapiola. Building the site cost EUR 2.2 million, for which Traficom granted a 50% state grant in accordance with the programme promoting walking and bicycling.
End result takes trees and nature into account
The new way is built partially where the old way was located, but some of it lies in new areas. Vegetation was only removed as much as required the implementation of the improvements. Deciduous trees will be planted in small groups on both sides of the pedestrian and bicycle way.
The objective was to preserve as much of the trees as possible, especially for the flying squirrel passages and to maintain the landscape of the area. Support trees will be planted to replace the trees that need to be removed, especially in places where flying squirrels’ move.
Improved and vaster underpass
The Tykkitie underpass was built where the old underpass used to be. The new granite stairs were built to go from the pavement on the northern side of the Merituulentie street to the mouth of the underpass. The shrubs of the underpass were mainly preserved, some were replaced. The underpass was closed for the duration of the construction, but it is now open to traffic.
Improvements increasing safety and pleasantness
The route, totalling a little over one kilometre in length, between the streets Pohjantie and Koivu-Mankkaantie, was improved by building completely new things and repairing the old ones. The route was broadened to be five metres wide and it will be lit with lampposts located along its southern edge. The lanes for cyclists and pedestrians will be clearly separated from one another with lines of rectangular paving stones.
On the eastern side of the Hakarinne junction was built a concrete counterwall, on top of which is a steel rail. The bus stops were also renovated. The rest of the environment was kept as grass- or meadow-covered, excluding the stops and narrow separators which will be paved later. The construction contract also included the installation of storm drains and casing pipes for electrical and communications cables.