Construction of the Särkänsilta Bridge began in the spring of 2025, and work has progressed as planned. The bridge’s concrete framework was poured in the fall, and the steel outer shell of the deck and sides was completed during the spring. The bridge’s railings resemble a ship’s bulwark, with round portholes cut into them to serve as viewing ports looking out toward the harbor and further out onto Lake Näsijärvi. The viewing openings are designed on a child’s scale, but parents can also bend down to look. The lower branch of the bridge leads to the new Harbour Gate in Särkänniemi, while the upper branch leads toward Näsinneula and the Sara Hildén Art Museum.
Särkänsilta will open to pedestrians on Midsummer’s Thursday, June 18, at 12 p.m. On opening day, admission to the Sara Hildén Art Museum is free from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Särkänniemi Amusement Park will also offer free admission to the park from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The Särkänsilta Bridge will be opened by Johanna Kirjavainen, Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Särkänniemi Steering Group.
-Bridges are an important part of Tampere’s urban development: they create new connections and enhance opportunities for residents to enjoy the lake views they love. I want to encourage everyone to think of the Särkänsilta Bridge as a new place to spend time, one that brings life to the entire Mustanlahti harbor area. The next step is to promote the creation of a walking trail through the entire area, so that people could walk from Särkänniemi—for example, along the popular trails of Ranta-Tampella, all the way to Hiedanranta, says Kirjavainen.
It is recommended to reach the bridge on foot or by public transportation. In addition to the existing tram and bus stops, a new public transit stop, Näsinkallio 0054, will open on Thursday, June 18, where lines 2 and 14 will stop. Särkänsilta Bridge is intended for walking, but you can walk your bike across if you wish. However, it is recommended that you leave your bicycle at the bike racks located at Mustanlahti Harbor or Näsiaukee.
Särkänsilta blends seamlessly into the Mustanlahti harbor area, and special attention has been paid to details in the bridge’s design. The shapes of Särkänsilta’s decks draw inspiration from the hulls of the harbor’s steamships, and the streamlined pillars of the intermediate supports resemble the keels of sailboats. The slanted railings are wide and provide excellent support for viewing the landscape. The bridge’s lighting is integrated into the railings so that, as night falls, the perforated patterns form a starry path stretching from the harbor toward Näsinneula.
The decks of Särkänsilta have been designed to be wide, providing space not only for walking but also for relaxing and enjoying the surroundings. Like the Näsin maisemasilta Bridge, the Särkänsilta Bridge thus offers city residents a new open public space where they can enjoy the lake views.
The development of the Särkänniemi area as part of the Näsijärvi lakeside routes became possible in a new way after through traffic was rerouted to the Rantaväylä tunnel. The Maisemasilta Bridge and the tram stop on Sepänkatu were expanded last year with the completion of Mustanlahdentörmä, the area between the park bridge and Mustanlahti Harbor. At the same time, a new pier path, seating areas, and an outdoor gym were built in the area.
The path to the bridge from the city centre was completed last summer. A new roundabout has been built near the railway bridges, and benches, bike racks, a scooter parking area, and plantings were added to the Näsiaukeen market square, which is partially located under the railway bridges.
Work on the Särkänsilta Bridge will continue after the opening with finishing touches until fall 2026, but this will not affect traffic on the bridge. The Paasikivenkatu project is also progressing as planned and will be completed during the fall of 2026. The goal is to fully complete the city centre portion of the area in the coming years, after which work will shift to renovating the rest of Mustanlahti Harbor following the completion of the bridge and street work.
