The world’s longest pedestrian bridge that 'shivers' ice away

A remarkable new landmark has transformed the skyline of Helsinki after Finland officially opened its longest and tallest bridge, attracting around 50,000 visitors during its first weekend.

The newly unveiled Kruunuvuorensilta bridge stretches 1,191 metres across the water, making it one of the longest pedestrian and cycling bridges in the world.

Rising 135 metres above sea level, it also claims the title of Finland’s tallest bridge, surpassing the country’s highest residential building by a single metre.

The striking structure links the waterfront neighbourhood of Kruunuvuorenranta with the island of Korkeasaari, the district of Laajasalo and central Helsinki, significantly improving connections across the Finnish capital.

Helsinki Mayor Daniel Sazonov hailed the bridge as a transformative addition to the city.

“Kruunuvuorensilta bridge is the new, unique and exciting landmark for Helsinki. A sight that will draw visitors from near and far,” he said.

“The new bridge reshapes how we look at Helsinki. It attaches the areas of Kruunuvuorenranta and Laajasalo in a completely new way to the larger central city area. The bridge reflects our commitment to sustainable solutions and embraces Helsinki’s unique maritime setting.”

Construction on the €326 million (£274 million) project began in 2021 and forms a central part of Helsinki’s long-term strategy to prioritise public transport, cycling and walking over private car use.

The bridge reduces travel distances between neighbouring districts by almost six kilometres. By 2030, city planners expect it to accommodate around 23,000 daily tram journeys and 3,750 cycling trips, with work continuing on an accompanying light rail network.

Helsinki already ranks among Europe’s most sustainable cities for transport. Around 41% of journeys are made on foot, 25% by public transport and 11% by bicycle, while only about one in five trips are made by car.

Designed to last for 200 years, the bridge incorporates several innovative engineering features tailored to Finland’s challenging climate.

Perhaps its most unusual characteristic is its ability to “shiver” ice away.

The bridge’s stay cables are designed to remain in constant, subtle motion thanks to the wind.

Combined with a specialised coating, the movement prevents ice from building up on the cables, causing newly formed ice flakes to break away naturally before they can accumulate.

The bridge also boasts strong environmental credentials. Its estimated carbon footprint stands at approximately 129,000 ton of carbon dioxide equivalent, with around 76% of emissions generated during construction and 24 per cent linked to operation and maintenance over a 50-year period.

City officials say emissions were reduced through the use of low-carbon materials and renewable energy sources.

Adding to its visual appeal, the structure features dynamic LED lighting that changes colour throughout the day, blending practical infrastructure with the playful design ethos for which Finland is known.