Article categories: News
Construction of the Paperisilta Bridge in Onkilahti begins – bridge to close during works
Published: 29.7.2025
The construction of the new Paperisilta Bridge in Onkilahti will begin on 4.8.2025. During the construction period, the bridge will be completely closed, and pedestrians and cyclists will need to follow a detour around Onkilahti. The new bridge will be completed and open for use by 30.11.2025.
The bridge is being replaced because it is in poor condition and too narrow. The current bridge, although having served the area for a long time, is now severely tilted and has a cracked surface. In its current condition, it would not withstand many more years of use.
– The new bridge will make the route safer and more accessible all year round. The replacement supports the enhanced winter maintenance that began last winter, which aims to ensure that everyone has equal access to a fast and pleasant route between the city centre and Palosaari, says Samuli Huusko, Project Engineer for walking and cycling.
The works will also include improvements to the embankment next to the bridge, as well as resurfacing of the pedestrian and cycle path in the area.
An extra two metres of width
The bridge is located on a popular pedestrian and cycling route. Currently, the bridge is used daily by more than 700 pedestrians and 700 cyclists. The redevelopment of the former industrial area in Vöyrinkaupunki is expected to further increase traffic on the route.
The narrow bridge already presents challenges when users meet each other, as pedestrians, cyclists, and recreational users such as anglers cannot always safely pass one another at the same time.
The current width of the bridge is 2.8 metres. The new bridge will be 5 metres wide.
– The new bridge will be high quality and designed in accordance with national planning guidelines. It is dimensioned so that, in the future, pedestrian and bicycle traffic could be separated onto their own sides, if the route through the area is developed in that direction, Huusko explains.
Destia Oy as main contractor
The main contractor for the construction is Destia Oy. The contract was put out to tender, and the Urban Environment Committee selected the contractor on 18 June 2025.
The committee approved Destia’s bid of €312,300. For this project, the City of Vaasa has received €140,000 in government funding from the Ministry of Transport and Communications’ programme for promoting walking and cycling.