Lauttasaari Bridge, Road bridge in Ruoholahti district, Finland.
The Lauttasaari Bridge is a concrete structure spanning the Lauttasaarensalmi strait and connecting the Ruoholahti and Lauttasaari districts in Helsinki. It accommodates both vehicles and pedestrians, creating a direct passage from the city center to a residential area on what was once an isolated island.
Built in 1969, this structure replaced an earlier bridge from 1935 that served as the first permanent connection from the mainland to Lauttasaari island. This upgrade enabled stronger traffic flow between the island and the rest of the city.
The bridge takes its name from Lauttasaari, which means 'ferry island' in Finnish, recalling the water transport service that operated there from 1914. The name connects visitors to the area's earlier role as a waterfront crossing point.
The bridge is easily walkable on foot and offers free access for both vehicles and cyclists. During bad weather or strong winds, conditions can sometimes be challenging, especially for pedestrians crossing the middle section.
Beneath the bridge runs an underground tunnel carrying coal to the Salmisaari power plant, revealing hidden infrastructure supporting the city. Local fishermen also gather here to catch herring, keeping alive a fishing tradition that many visitors pass by without noticing.
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