Contract signed for the second partial order of the Vantaa Light Rail project
The alliance partners of the Vantaa Light Rail project signed the contract for the second partial order on May 7, 2026. The contract covers the remaining section of the rail line to be built in Vantaa, from the Finnish Aviation Museum to Länsimäentie, as well as water resources management work carried out in Vantaa. For the City of Helsinki’s share, the second partial order includes components of the electrification system.
The target cost estimate for the second partial order totals €405.7 million for both alliances combined. The revised overall cost estimate of the Vantaa Light rail project is approximately €750 million.
In addition to the City of Vantaa, the second client for the light rail project is Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority (HSY). Furthermore, in the eastern alliance, another client is Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd (Pääkaupunkiseudun Kaupunkiliikenne Oy), which represents the City of Helsinki’s share in Mellunmäki. In addition, Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd will build the depot serving the Vantaa light rail in Vaarala.
Construction of the Vantaa light rail is divided between two alliances. One alliance is responsible for the western section of the project from Kuninkaala toward Helsinki Airport, covering the section between Helsinki Airport and Tikkurila, including the Tikkurila tunnel, whereas the other alliance is responsible for the eastern section of the project between Kuninkaala and Mellunmäki. The western section is being built by Destia, with design by Sitowise Oy and Ramboll Finland Oy. The eastern section is being built by GRK Suomi Oy and Kreate Oy, with design by AFRY Finland Oy, Sweco Finland Oy, and WSP Finland Oy.
“The contract signed today is a significant milestone on Vantaa’s journey to becoming a light rail city, as we have now agreed on the construction of the light rail for the entire Vantaa section. At the same time, we are renewing the city’s street environment and underground technical infrastructure, which would in any case soon need to be renovated. The project includes, for example, the renewal or rehabilitation of several bridges that are already in need of repairs. In connection with the light rail worksites, HSY will modernize Vantaa residents’ water resources management. The city’s investment will also be reflected in growth in both the number of residents and jobs,” says Deputy Mayor Tero Anttila of the Urban Environment Department.
Vantaa City Council ratified the revised project plan for the Vantaa light rail on November 17, 2025. The decision included a mandate under which the Vantaa light rail alliance and Finavia will jointly prepare a supplementary plan to the project plan concerning the light rail in the vicinity of the airport terminal. The plan, to be submitted to the city executive board in June, will include a new terminus with associated arrangements, as well as a cost estimate. A decision on the implementation of the airport terminus will be made by the end of 2027.
Helsinki’s share of the light rail will be ordered later
On Helsinki's side, in the Mellunmäki area, there is a valid local detailed plan that enables the construction of the light rail. The street plan required for the light rail can also be prepared on this basis.
However, the City of Helsinki is currently preparing an amendment to the local detailed plan for the Mellunmäki town center area, which may affect the alignment and technical solutions of the light rail.
In order to coordinate construction with possible other development projects in Mellunmäki, the City of Helsinki will order the construction of the Vantaa light rail in the third implementation phase. The target schedule for this order is the turn of the year 2026–2027.
Helsinki City Council has granted a project authorization of €15 million for the implementation of Helsinki’s share of the Vantaa light rail.
Construction of the Vantaa light rail began in 2025, and traffic can begin at the end of 2029.
Light rail construction sites expanding especially in Eastern Vantaa
Construction of the Vantaa light rail began in December, and in the spring the worksites will expand significantly, especially along Hakunilantie and Länsimäentie.
Street works will begin along the entire length of Kyytitie, from the Heidehof roundabout to the intersection of Kyytitie and Hakunilantie.
In the Aviapolis major district, street works will also begin on Aviabulevardi, where car traffic will be cut off and bus services will be diverted to detour routes in May. On Tikkurilantie, between Puutarhatie and Kielotie, as well as in central Tikkurila, work on the light rail tunnel will continue in the current worksite areas. Nevertheless, Tikkurila station will continue to operate normally at all times.
