{"id":72075,"date":"2026-04-30T15:53:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T15:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/72075\/"},"modified":"2026-04-30T15:53:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T15:53:12","slug":"construction-completes-on-record-breaking-bridge-the-length-of-100-buses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/72075\/","title":{"rendered":"Construction Completes on Record-Breaking Bridge the Length of 100 Buses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Finland<\/a> has officially opened the world\u2019s longest bridge<\/a> dedicated to trams, pedestrians, and cyclists\u2014the Kruunuvuori Bridge in Helsinki, the Finnish capital.<\/p>\n

Known locally as Kruunuvuorensilta, the 1,200-meter (around 3,937 feet) long structure was unveiled last week after 13 years of “designing, refining, and anticipating,” Tom Osborne, director of Knight Architects, the architect behind the bridge, told Newsweek.<\/p>\n

A spokesperson for Knight Architects told Newsweek that Kruunuvuorensilta is the \u201cworld’s longest bridge dedicated exclusively to trams, pedestrians and cyclists.\u201d The bridge is nearly as long as the length of 100 school buses in the United States, which can be around 35 to 45 feet long.<\/p>\n

The bridge connects Helsinki\u2019s city center with the island of Laajasalo, creating a new, direct route across the water and forming the centerpiece of the Kruunusillat (Crown Bridges) program, a major national infrastructure<\/a> initiative.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

The latest project reflects a broader shift in how cities are rethinking major infrastructure\u2014not as car-dominated corridors, but as public spaces designed around low\u2011carbon mobility and everyday human movement. The bridge is not just a transport link but shows how cities can grow while reducing emissions and dependence on private cars\u2014without sacrificing scale or ambition.<\/p>\n

Approximately $139 trillion is required in infrastructure globally to reach net zero by 2050, according to a 2024 report by EY, formerly Ernst & Young, one of the Big Four professional services firms. With around 75 percent of the world\u2019s infrastructure in 2050 yet to be built, \u201cthe global infrastructure sector holds significant potential for significant growth,\u201d the report said.<\/p>\n

\"OverviewA New Landmark on Helsinki\u2019s Skyline<\/p>\n

Designed by the London\u2011based Knight Architects, following an international design<\/a> competition won in 2013 alongside WSP Finland, the bridge has become a defining feature of Helsinki\u2019s skyline.<\/p>\n

Osborne told Newsweek that the structure\u2019s visual prominence matches its urban significance. \u201cAs the longest and tallest bridge in Finland, its central diamond is a major new addition to Helsinki\u2019s skyline,\u201d the architect said. \u201cThe bridge is a vital link to a new community and a catalyst for sustainable growth.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the heart of the bridge stands a 135\u2011meter\u2011high (443-foot) diamond\u2011shaped concrete pylon, the tallest bridge structure in the country. Knight Architects described it as a \u201cbold, contemporary landmark visible across the city and from the air,\u201d giving the bridge a distinctive identity among Helsinki\u2019s waterfront structures.<\/p>\n

\"\"Designed Exclusively for Sustainable Transport<\/p>\n

Unlike most large bridges, private cars are not permitted on the Kruunuvuori Bridge. From the outset, the bridge was conceived solely for trams, pedestrians, and cyclists\u2014a decision that the architects say fundamentally shaped the project.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnusually for a structure of this scale, Kruunuvuori Bridge prioritizes sustainable movement having been conceived exclusively for trams, pedestrians and cyclists,\u201d the firm said. \u201cThis fundamental decision redefines the role of the bridge from a piece of transport infrastructure to a civic space in its own right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Osborne said the design intentionally encourages residents to choose alternatives to driving. \u201cBy making active travel easier, quicker, and cheaper than using a car, it actively promotes a modal shift,\u201d he told Newsweek.<\/p>\n

\"CyclistsBuilt With Cables That Stay in ‘Constant Slight Motion\u2019<\/p>\n

Helsinki\u2019s coastal environment presents extreme weather challenges, from bright summer conditions to icy, wind\u2011driven winters. The bridge incorporates several engineering solutions designed to cope with those conditions year\u2011round.<\/p>\n

According to Knight Architects, the bridge\u2019s stay cables are “designed to remain in constant slight motion” during windy conditions\u2014a feature that helps prevent ice buildup. The cables are encased in textured plastic sheaths that cause ice to break into fine particles rather than accumulating. The bridge will also feature a wind warning system, with alerts displayed on light boards at both ends during strong winds.<\/p>\n

\"theMade to Last for Generations<\/p>\n

Kruunuvuori Bridge was engineered with a design life of up to 200 years, reflecting Helsinki\u2019s long\u2011term approach to urban development and infrastructure investment.<\/p>\n

\u201cKruunuvuorensilta is designed to serve the city for generations,\u201d the architectural firm said, noting that the project included a comprehensive environmental impact assessment covering waterways, fish populations, boating activity, noise, and vibration.<\/p>\n

The total carbon footprint of the project is estimated at approximately 129,000 tonnes of CO\u2082 equivalent, with 76 percent attributed to construction and 24 percent to operation and maintenance over a 50\u2011year period. Emissions were reduced through the use of low\u2011emission materials and renewable energy sources.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, Osborne hopes the bridge\u2019s impact extends far beyond its physical form. \u201cOver the next 200 years, I hope this diamond becomes not only a symbol of its place, but a symbol of a shift towards more sustainable ways of living,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Other Major Bridges Under Construction Around the World<\/p>\n

Several other record-setting bridges have been recently built or are currently under construction across the globe. <\/p>\n

Among these is the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which will form a critical new corridor between the United States and Canada. Linking Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, the Gordie Howe International Bridge is set to become the longest cable\u2011stayed bridge in North America and 10th longest in the world. The bridge is reportedly expected to open this spring.<\/p>\n

Across the pond in Europe, Italy\u2019s long\u2011discussed Strait of Messina Bridge has been formally approved, reviving plans for what would be the world\u2019s longest suspension bridge, designed to connect Sicily to the mainland in a single leap of more than 3,300 meters.<\/p>\n

Over in China, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge opened to traffic in September 2025. The bridge was reportedly certified by Guinness World Records (GWR) as the world’s highest bridge, soaring around 2,053 feet above the Beipan River in the Guizhou province of southwest China, according to China Daily.<\/p>\n

Do you have an architecture<\/a> or design-related story to share? Let us know via s.kim@newsweek.com, and your story could be featured by Newsweek.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Finland has officially opened the world\u2019s longest bridge dedicated to trams, pedestrians, and cyclists\u2014the Kruunuvuori Bridge in Helsinki,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":72076,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[87],"tags":[653,11037,1252,158,113,2432],"class_list":["post-72075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-helsinki","tag-architecture","tag-bridge","tag-design","tag-finland","tag-helsinki","tag-infrastructure"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@dk\/116494467636733445","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72075","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72075"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72075\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/72076"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72075"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=72075"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=72075"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}