Security tightens, traffic movement affects due to Biden´s visit

The authorities have taken tight security measures in Helsinki and adjoining areas during the visit of the US President and the Nordic Prime Ministers.

The Finnish Border Guard enhanced border security at Finland's external and internal borders from July 8 to July 15 due to the visit of the US President and the Nordic leaders.

Helsinki police announced that vehicular movement will remain closed at different city roads affecting the public transport in the capital region, said police and the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (Helsingin seudun liikenne – HSL).

The HSL urged the city commuters to be prepared for the diversion routes, service disruptions and delays.

The effects will particularly impact bus and tram services in the center of Helsinki as well as bus services that use the access roads to Helsinki.

Ferry traffic to Suomenlinna will be handled from the Suomenlinna service ferry pier in Katajanokka. The Market Square remained completely closed on Wednesday from 7:00 a.m. The Market Square water bus and cruise piers will be closed on Thursday. Some city bike stations will be closed in the city center.

The metro and commuter trains, however, will run as usual.

Meanwhile, country´s airports operator Finavia said that high-level security and special arrangements will be taken at Helsinki Airport.

The police will have aviation operations during the visit, which may cause some noise.

Private waterborne transport will not be allowed in Eteläsatama. This does not apply to cruise ships sailing to Tallinn and Stockholm from the Olympia Terminal and the Katajanokka Terminal. Water traffic in the channel between the Main Guard Post and Katajanokka will be forbidden.

Air traffic will also be restricted during the meeting. A temporary restricted zone remains in effect in the area from Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to Friday 9 p.m.

Police said that Aleksanterinkatu will be closed for motor vehicle traffic between Meritullinkatu and Snellmaninkatu. Vehicles will be diverted from Pohjoisranta in the direction of Pohjoisesplanadi and Eteläesplanadi via the Kirkkokatu–Unioninkatu route, and from Pohjoisesplanadi to Pohjoisranta via the Fabianinkatu–Aleksanterinkatu–Snellmaninkatu–Kirkkokatu route.

Pohjoisesplanadi will be closed between Sofiankatu and Päävartiontori but it will be possible to walk or ride a bicycle from Pohjoisranta to the city centre through the Aleksanterinkatu–Unioninkatu route.

Vehicle traffic from Pohjoisranta to the city centre will be possible via Aleksanterinkatu and further to southern Helsinki and the Olympia Terminal via Unioninkatu.

The route to Katajanokka via Mariankatu and Päävartiontori will be closed. Katajanokka and the Katajanokka Terminal can be accessed via Kanavakatu directly from Pohjoisranta.

From Eteläesplanadi, Eteläranta and the Olympia Terminal, Pohjoisranta can be reached via Fabianinkatu and Aleksanterinkatu.

Drivers of passenger cars headed to the Olympia Terminal are advised to drive via Tehtaankatu.

Heavy vehicles arriving at the Olympia Terminal will be directed to the route Pohjoisesplanadi – Lönnrotinkatu – Hietalahdenkatu – Hietalahdenranta.

Several convoys will travel in the Helsinki region before, during and after the meeting. The convoys will cause some interruptions of about 40 minutes in traffic, especially in the centre of Helsinki.