Pop star Ed Sheeran will be giving concerts in Helsinki on two consecutive nights, Tuesday 23 July and Wednesday 24 July. The concert venue is Malmi Airport, and approximately 46,000 people are expected there on Tuesday and 60,000 on Wednesday.
Because of the large audiences, the Finnish Police informed that the area around Malmi Airport will be congested on both days during the opening hours of the venue, from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Therefore, vehicles are asked to avoid the areas near Malmi Airport on the concert days.
Because of special traffic and parking arrangements, authorities recommended that people arrive at the venue using public transportation or car pools, by bike or by foot. The police and the concert organiser also asked people to remain unhurried and to reserve enough time for coming to and leaving the concert.
The organiser of the event recommends that, if you wish to see the entire show by Sheeran, you arrive at the venue no later than 6 p.m.
The police share responsibility for special traffic arrangements with the event organiser and the City of Helsinki, and are involved in ensuring the security of the event.
The concerts affect traffic until midnight
According to the information released by the Police, the concerts affect the traffic especially on ring roads Kehä I and Kehä III, as well as Lahdenväylä (trunk road 4) and Porvoonväylä (trunk road 7). Of the streets close to Malmi Airport, particularly Tattariharjuntie, Tullivuorentie, Teerisuontie and Malminkaari may be congested.
Because of drop-off and pick-up traffic, congestion is expected to be high approximately from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. When people are leaving the concert between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m., traffic may be stopped at times on the above-mentioned streets.
Be prepared for long walking distances
Concert guests will only be allowed close to the concert venue by car if they have bought a parking permission in advance. Drop-off or pick-up in the immediate vicinity of the venue will not be possible.
Apart from the official parking area, there are no parking spaces in the area surrounding Malmi Airport, and passenger car traffic will be restricted. Cars should be left in the Helsinki city centre, Pasila (at Messukeskus, for example), Tikkurila, at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, or at other park & ride locations close to VR’s local trains.
Concert guests can be dropped off by car in official drop zones, the location of which can be found on the event’s website. The drop zones will be relatively far away from the concert area.
*Photo included in this article by Christopher Johnson.
