The Helsinki City Board announced on Monday that it was winding up plans for a tunnel under the city centre. The decision came after a vote that went 9-6 in favour of abandoning the venture.
The proposal by Otto Lehtipuu (Green) was backed by the Social Democrats, Greens, Left Alliance, and Centre Party members.
The National Coalition Party and Swedish People's Party would have wanted a stay of execution for the plans.
Effectively the decision means that planning comes to a halt, but the fate of the road tunnel under the centre of the capital is still open.
The City Council will discuss a public initiative on the issue on May 21st.
Just under 12,000 Helsinki residents have signed a petition calling for the tunnel to be abandoned.
If it sees fit, the Council could overrule the Board's decision at this meeting, but at present it looks as if opponents of the tunnel also have a majority among the Council's 85 members.
The City Board justifies the burying of the tunnel plans on financial and climate grounds.
Opponents have argued that a tunnel for cars right under the centre would add to the number of private cars coming into the city, and the price-tag of EUR 475-545 million is seen as altogether too high.
