Changes to traffic in Helsinki city centre due to Nordic Prime Ministers’ visit

Changes to traffic in Helsinki city centre due to Nordic Prime Ministers' visit

The Nordic Prime Ministers will visit Helsinki on Wednesday 3 May 2023, at the invitation of President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö. The meeting will take place at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday. The meeting impacts traffic in the Helsinki city centre.

Between 10 am and 8 pm, the following changes are in effect around the Market Square:

• Pohjoisesplanadi is closed between Katariinankatu and Päävartiontori.
• The city centre can be accessed via Katariinankatu by foot and bicycle.
• From Pohjoisranta, vehicle traffic towards the city centre and southern Helsinki is allowed via Aleksanterinkatu, and towards the Olympia Terminal via Unioninkatu.
• The route to Katajanokka via Mariankatu and Päävartiontori is closed. Katajanokka and the Katajanokka Terminal can be accessed via Kanavakatu, which can be accessed via Pohjoisranta.
• Pohjoisranta can be reached from Eteläesplanadi, Eteläranta and the Olympia Terminal via Fabianinkatu and Aleksanterinkatu.
• Drivers of passenger cars headed to the Olympia Terminal are advised to drive via Tehtaankatu.
• Heavy vehicles arriving at the Olympia Terminal will be directed to the route Pohjoisesplanadi - Lönnrotinkatu - Hietalahdenkatu - Hietalahdenranta.
• No changes are made to traffic on Eteläesplanadi.
• The sections closed to pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles and the alternative routes are indicated on the enclosed maps.

There will be several convoys on the roads in the Helsinki Region. The convoys may cause momentary stops in traffic especially in the city centre.

The Police of Finland will have aviation activities during the visit, which may temporarily cause disturbing noise.

Restrictions to waterborne and air traffic

The Market Square will be partially closed. The Market Square market will be located at the end of the Market Square where the Havis Amanda statue stands.

Ferry traffic to Suomenlinna leaves from the Suomenlinna service ferry pier in Katajanokka. The Market Square water bus and cruise piers will be closed. Private waterborne traffic will not be allowed in Eteläsatama. This does not apply to cruise ships sailing to Tallinn and Stockholm from the Olympia Terminal and the Katajanokka Terminal. In Pohjoisranta, private waterborne traffic is restricted in the area south of Halkolaituri.

Trams will operate as usual, but there may be changes to schedules. More information on changes to public transportation can be found on HSL's website at hsl.fi.

'I strongly recommend avoiding driving to the city centre, or at the least to reserve enough travel time. The convoys may cause momentary stops to traffic. We ask patience and understanding from citizens in relation to these restrictions to traffic,' says Superintendent Dennis Pasterstein from the Helsinki Police Department.

Air traffic will also be restricted during the visit. A temporary restricted zone is in effect in the area on 3 May 2023 between 8 am and 8 pm. The restricted zone can be found online on Wednesday morning at droneinfo.fi or aviamaps.com.

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