Helsinki's 90 Million Euro Service Tunnel Remains Largely Empty

Helsinki's ambitious 90 million euro service tunnel, designed to alleviate surface traffic and enhance the city center's livability, is facing a stark reality: it's largely empty.

Despite its existence for years, only six out of 66 properties with direct access have connected to the subterranean network. This underutilization translates into substantial financial burdens for the city. The initial plan was to cover construction costs through connection fees from businesses, but the city has ended up footing a significant portion of the bill for both construction and ongoing maintenance.

In 2025, Helsinki's share of the tunnel's operating costs is projected at nearly 889,000 euros. Had at least three more properties connected, these costs could have been reduced by approximately 170,000 euros. This financial shortfall was a known risk, acknowledged even when the city council approved the project in 2005, with the understanding that the city would always cover a portion of the nearly two million euro annual maintenance expenses.

The tunnel's primary justification was to move service and loading traffic off the streets, thereby improving the experience for pedestrians and cyclists. While the project faced criticism for its high cost and the city's financial responsibility from the outset, proponents like then-Green League councilor Otto Lehtipuu argued it offered opportunities for a significant return on investment. However, the intended shift of service traffic underground has not materialized as hoped, with many delivery vehicles still operating on the surface streets.