The renovation of Valssipadonraitti begins – the widening of the pedestrian and cycling route crossing Tammerkoski will start in June 2026
The combined cycling and pedestrian route known as Valssipadonraitti connects the cycling lanes of Puutarhakatu and Rongankatu, forming a regional main cycling route through the city center. The route, already familiar to many, runs from Frenckellinaukio Square through the tunnel passing through the Frenckell building, across the Valssipato Dam over Tammerkoski Rapids, past the middle rapids power plant, and onward to Rongankatu.
The current route has become too narrow, and when approaching the Frenckell tunnel from the west, the narrow and sharply curving bridge reduces visibility. The number of people using the route has also increased, and usage is expected to grow further once the future renovation of the Frenckell building into a hotel is completed.
Both the bridges and the tunnel will be widened
Valssipadonraitti will be widened by two meters along its entire length, including the bridges and the tunnel. The renovated route will become a separated pedestrian and cycling path that meets the standards of a regional main cycling route. The cycling lane will be at least 3 meters wide throughout the route, while the pedestrian lane will be 2.5 meters wide.
At the same time, the surfaces and lighting will be renewed, the railings of the existing bridges will be refurbished, and the alignment of the Pihasilta Bridge leading from the west to the Frenckell passage will be made gentler so that the view when approaching the tunnel from the west opens up significantly.
The structural modifications required for the Frenckell building and its surroundings will be carried out under the supervision of the Pirkanmaa Regional Museum. In addition, all the old linden and maple trees on the Frenckellinpuisto Park side of the courtyard will be preserved.
The passage through Frenckell and the bridges leading to it will be renewed first
The renovation of Valssipadonraitti will be carried out in phases over the course of several years. Work will begin in 2026 with the expansion of the tunnel passing through Frenckell and the replacement of the bridges leading to the tunnel. In the following phases, the route will be widened westward from Puutarhakatu to the Frenckell bridges. In addition, the Patosilta Bridge and Valssipadonraitti past the power plant eastward to Rongankatu will also be widened. The construction site’s impacts on movement will mainly affect pedestrians and cyclists in the area.
The planned solutions implement the street and park plan approved in 2024.
Alternative routes and a temporary bridge downstream of the Keskiputous power plant
During the renovation, the Valssipadonraitti route will be completely closed to traffic, and an alternative crossing over Tammerkoski Rapids will be arranged using a temporary bridge or by detouring via other bridges across the rapids. For the duration of the project, a temporary bridge will be built downstream of the Keskiputous power plant, between Koskipuisto Park and Vanha Kirjastonpuisto Park, at the level of the riverside park pathways.
– The demolition of the old bridges and construction of the temporary bridge will begin around the same time in June 2026. For a few weeks, pedestrians and cyclists will need to detour via Hämeensilta Bridge or Satakunnansilta Bridge until the alternative crossing over the rapids is completed. We aim to have the new route up and running as soon as possible, says construction engineer Jukka Rantala.
The temporary bridge is intended for pedestrians and cyclists and will remain in place for several years during the entire renovation of the Valssipadonraitti route. The traffic arrangements starting in June will remain in effect at least until the end of 2028.
The project client is the City of Tampere, and the contractor is YIT Infra Oy.
