Isoisänsilta Explained

Isoisänsilta
Native Name:Finnish: Isoisänsilta / Swedish: Farfarsbron
Carries:Pedestrians, bicycles
Crosses:Sompasaarensalmi
Locale:East Helsinki
Starts:Kalasatama
Ends:Mustikkamaa
Named For:Isoisänniemi, Mustikkamaa
Design:Cantilever, with orthotropic deck
Material:Steel
Width: (minimum)
Designer:Pontek
Begin:August 2014
Opening:June 2016

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

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.

The total length of the bridge is, including the main span. The minimum width of the deck is, 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]

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. Construction began in 2014 and was completed in 2016, with the bridge opening to traffic on 1 June 2016.

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

Some locals have taken to climbing on top of the bridge arch, in a number cases jumping off into the sea approximately 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

Notes and References

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