Grandfather's bridge

Helsinki, 16 degrees


To embark on the journey towards your goals and dreams requires bravery. To remain on that path requires courage. The bridge that merges the two is commitment.

Last week I witnessed a historical event at Helsinki received a brand new landmark in its archipelago! Located in the Kalasatama inner-city district of Helsinki, a new footbridge that allows access from Kalasatama to the Mustikkamaa Island in only minutes opened! The opening brought thousands of locals to the bridge on this stunning summer day!

Viime viikolla koin jotain historiallista: uuden maamerkin avajaiset! Kävin todistamassa kun Helsingin Kalasataman alueella avattiin uusi silta, joka johtaa Mustikkamaalle. Avajaiset keräsivät tuhansia ihmisiä paikalle, eikä mikään ihme - aurinkoisena päivänä silta oli upea ilmestys!

The Kalasatama district is a district in the city that is still under development as it used to be a former harbor and industrial area and is now turned into a residential and business district on the Helsinki waterfront. Kalasatama will also be home to Redi, the city’s largest downtown shopping center with eight tower buildings. The Redi shopping and experience center will open its doors in 2018. You can read more about the urban plans for Kalasatama here.

Kalasatama syntyy ydinkeskustan kainaloon meren rannalle. Entiselle satama-alueelle nousee nyt uusia kortteleita, jotka tarjoavat monipuolisia asumisvaihtoehtoja. Kalasatamaan rakennetaan myös Redi, tulevaisuuden kauppakeskusta joka avataan vuonna 2018. Voit lukea Kalasataman rakennusvaiheista täältä.

Mustikkamaa Island is known for the fact that it connects Helsinki's mainland to the Helsinki Zoo, also located on an island, with a bridge connection. Mustikkamaa Island is verdant and has versatile green areas and outdoor sports facilities. It has Midsummer dances and a summer theater. Many people like to fish in the sea around Mustikkamaa Island. The Mustikkamaa Recreational Park was established in 1921 and covers about 36 hectares.

Mustikkamaa sen sijaan on monien helsinkiläissukupolvien suosima ulkoilualue ja kansanpuisto Korkeasaaren eläinpuiston vieressä. Alue on tunnettu erinomaisista ulkoilu- ja virkistysmahdollisuuksistaan, mutta myös juhannusjuhlistaan ja kesäteatterista. Kruunuvuorenselkä ja Mustikkamaan kalliot ovat erittäin suosittuja kalastuspaikkoja. Alueen pinta-ala on noin 36 ha.

The new bridge, named Isoisänsilta in Finnish (“Grandfather’s bridge”) is a light-colored arch bridge with a span of 160 meters. The bridge deck is supported by no pillars in the sea, so the bridge allows unobstructed passage to boats and other water transport like canoes. The bridge design is the result of an invited design competition completed in the latter half of 2011. The winning design titled Tiikerihai (“tiger shark”) is by Pontek Consulting Engineers Ltd of Finland. It took about two years for the new bridge to get ready, and I must say that I love it! I love its fresh design and stunning urban views! As I'm sure you can guess by now, I love seeing my city from new perspectives!

Uusi silta, Isoisänsilta (ruots. Farfarsbron) nimeltään, on Helsingin Kalasatamasta aivan Sompasaaren rajalta Mustikkamaalle johtava kevyen liikenteen 160-metrinen silta. Isoisänsilta on saanut nimensä Mustikkamaan Isoisänniemen mukaan. Silta sai ulkomuotonsa suunnittelukilpailun kautta. Vuonna 2011 järjestetyn kilpailun voittaja oli Insinööritoimisto Pontek Oy. Sillan rakentaminen kesti n. kaksi vuotta, ja minun on pakko sanoa että pidän siitä kovasti! Pidän sen tuoreesta muotoilusta, ja upeista kaupunkinäkymistä! Kuten voit arvata, mielestäni on upeaa nähdä kotikaupunkini uudesta näkökulmasta!

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What is your favorite kind of landmark? How do you feel about bridges? What kind of bridges do you like?

Minkälaisista maamerkeistä sinä pidät? Mitä mieltä olet silloista? Minkälaiset sillat ovat makuusi?


What's your opinion?

  1. This is so cool and it looks beautiful!

    xo
    www.carinavardie.com

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  2. that bridge looks pretty neat

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  3. since we have a plan to go to Korkeasaari this summer I understand we can see the new bridge on our route? at least right now I'm thinking about going on foot and discovering the surroundings a little :) oh and how cool that there will be a new shopping centre in 2018! will definitely visit that in the future!

    Maiken - Part of me

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    Replies
    1. Yes, you can! Actually, I had you in mind when I wrote this blog post because you had mentioned earlier that you would be heading there this summer :) There are actually several shopping centers coming up in Helsinki during the next three years or so ;)

      xxx
      E

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