Merikoski Bridges

The Merikoski Bridges are a system of four structures spanning the Oulujoki River in Oulu: Pokkisenväylä, Ämmänväylä, Tuiranväylä, and Alakanava. They stretch from Aleksanterinkatu in the south to Merikoskenkatu in the north, connecting the neighborhoods of Pokkinen and Tuira.

Construction of the Ämmänväylä Bridge in 1890 marked the beginning of this crossing system. The network expanded gradually to meet the growing need for connections between the developing neighborhoods.

The bridges serve as everyday crossing points that connect different neighborhoods and shape how residents move through the delta area. People use them daily for commuting, and they have become part of the familiar route through this part of the city.

The bridges are open to pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles, making it easy to cross the river at multiple points. Navigation is straightforward if you follow the street names at either end or use local walking routes.

The bridges are integrated with the Merikoski hydroelectric power plant, which received a fish passage in 2003. This addition allows salmon and trout to swim upstream again, reconnecting the river for these species after many decades.