Isoisänsilta (Swedish: Farfarsbron) is a pedestrian and cycling bridge in Helsinki, Finland, opened in June 2016.[1]

Isoisänsilta

Isoisänsilta / Farfarsbron
Isoisänsilta viewed from the Kalasatama (mainland) end
Coordinates60°10′56″N 24°58′57″E / 60.182167°N 24.982556°E / 60.182167; 24.982556
CarriesPedestrians, bicycles
CrossesSompasaarensalmi
LocaleEast Helsinki
BeginsKalasatama
EndsMustikkamaa
Named forIsoisänniemi, Mustikkamaa
Characteristics
DesignCantilever, with orthotropic deck
MaterialSteel
Total lengthc. 170 metres (560 ft)
Width4 metres (13 ft) (minimum)
Longest span144 metres (472 ft)
Clearance below6.7 metres (22 ft)
History
DesignerPontek
Construction startAugust 2014
OpeningJune 2016
Location
Map

The bridge connects the Kalasatama neighbourhood on the Helsinki mainland to the island of Mustikkamaa and, via it, to the islands of Korkeasaari and Kulosaari.[1]

The total length of the bridge is c. 170 metres (560 ft),[1] including the 144 metres (472 ft) main span. The minimum width of the deck is 4 metres (13 ft),[1] which at the Kalasatama end widens and splits into two lanes separated by the central bridge arch. Conversely, at the Mustikkamaa end, the arch splits into two supports on either side of the central bridge deck.[2]

Isoisänsilta viewed from the Mustikkamaa end

The bridge was designed by the civil engineering firm Pontek,[3] and is based on their winning entry, titled Tiikerihai ("Tiger Shark"), into the design contest held by the City of Helsinki in 2011.[1] Construction began in 2014 and was completed in 2016, with the bridge opening to traffic on 1 June 2016.[1]

The bridge is named after the Isoisänniemi promontory of Mustikkamaa, and its name literally translates as "Grandfather's Bridge".[4][1]

Some locals have taken to climbing on top of the bridge arch, in a number cases jumping off into the sea approximately 14 metres (46 ft) below, which the police and rescue service strongly advice against as dangerous.[5][6]

In 2017, the Finnish Association of Civil Engineers chose Isoisänsilta as the 'Bridge of the Year'.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Uusi silta yhdistää Kalasataman ja Mustikkamaan ja johdattaa aina Korkeasaareen saakka" [New bridge connects Kalasatama to Mustikkamaa and leads all the way to Korkeasaari] (in Finnish). Yle. 1 June 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  2. ^ "Tekla BIM Awards 2015 – Isoisänsilta". Tekla.com (in Finnish). Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  3. ^ "Siltasuunnittelun referenssit". Pontek.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Mistä juontuu nimi Sompasaaren ja Mustikkamaan välille rannettava "isoisänsilta"?". Kirjastot.fi (in Finnish). Public Libraries in Finland. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Vaarallinen ilmiö piinaa Kalasatamaa: Uhkarohkeat kiipeilevät Isoisänsillan teräskaaren päälle" (in Finnish). Helsingin Sanomat. 4 June 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  6. ^ "Ohikulkija kuvasi miehen uhkarohkean uimahypyn sillalta 14 metristä – pelastuslaitos: "Kaikkea muuta kuin järkevää"" (in Finnish). Ilta-Sanomat. 26 July 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Isoisänsilta on Vuoden Silta 2017" [Isoisänsilta is Bridge of the Year 2017] (in Finnish). Kuntatekniikka. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 8 November 2020.