World's Longest Multimodal Bridge Opens With One Major Restriction for Drivers

A newly opened multimodal bridge billed among the most ambitious transport structures in recent years is drawing attention not only for its engineering scale, but also for a rule that sharply limits how motorists can use it.

The Kruunuvuori Bridge in Helsinki is designed to last over two centuries and prioritizes pedestrians, cyclists, and light rail instead of cars.

The 1,190-metre bridge was designed to accommodate several modes of transport within a single structure, with a service life of up to 200 years achieved through long-term durability planning and reduced maintenance requirements. Reports surrounding the project have focused heavily on its traffic policy, which restricts conventional private car use in advocacy of public and shared transport systems.

The project reflects a broader shift in urban transport planning as cities attempt to reduce congestion and lower transport-related emissions without expanding road space indefinitely.

Focus shifts from cars to multimodal transport

Unlike conventional bridge projects that focus on vehicle throughput, the new crossing was developed around multimodal movement. Public transport, pedestrians, and non-private mobility systems were given greater priority in the final operating model.

That approach mirrors transport policies increasingly seen in major cities where planners are trying to reduce dependence on private vehicles in dense urban corridors.

Long-span bridge projects have historically been designed around expanding road capacity. More recent infrastructure strategies are increasingly combining rail, pedestrian, cycling, and public transport systems within single transport routes.

Engineering studies on long-span bridges suggest that modern design is shifting toward lifecycle planning that prioritizes durability and reduced maintenance over sheer structural scale.

200-year design lifespan draws engineering attention

The bridge’s projected 200-year lifespan has become one of the project’s most discussed features.

Bridge lifespan targets at that scale typically require strict control of structural fatigue, corrosion exposure, expansion systems, and long-term maintenance planning from the earliest design stages. Achieving extended service life depends heavily on both material performance and ongoing maintenance strategy.

Engineers have long worked to reduce the use of failure-prone components, such as expansion joints, which often deteriorate under heavy traffic and environmental stress. Newer bridge design approaches increasingly aim to minimize such maintenance-heavy elements.

The multimodal configuration also reflects a broader global trend in infrastructure planning, where long-term usability is becoming as important as initial construction cost.

Long-span bridge construction continues evolving

Globally, bridge engineering has steadily advanced toward larger and more complex structures over the past two decades.

China’s Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge, part of the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway, remains one of the longest bridges in the world, stretching more than 164 kilometres and designed to improve transport efficiency across a major economic service belt.

At the same time, engineers continue to push limits in structural design through higher-strength materials and improved construction methods, enabling longer spans and more resilient infrastructure systems.

While the newly opened multimodal bridge is not the longest in the world, its operational model is what sets it apart. Instead of expanding space for private vehicles, it restricts them in favor of shared and public transport systems.

That approach may become more common as cities balance infrastructure expansion with sustainability and long-term urban mobility needs.